MEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Extract from the Regulations.
Any resident of the town over the a^e of four
teen years may take out one book.
No book (e.xcept those marked thirty days) shall
be kept out more than foirteex days at one time.
or every day beyond this, there shall be a fine of
two cents.
Every book returned shall remain in the Library
until the next Library day. ^
Rooks lost or damaged must be paid for or re-
P aced All penalties shall be rigidly enforced, and
the Libiarian shall deliver no books to anv person
'vho shall be delinquent by non-payment of fines or
unsettled claims for damage or loss of books.
All books shall be returned for annual inspec-
tion at such time as the library committee may di-
rect under penalty of one-half the cost of each book
daily (excepting Sun-
jrom 7 to 9
MEDFORD PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Extract from the Regulations*
Any resident of the town over the age of fourteen years
may take out one book.
No book (except those marked thirty days) shall be kept
out more than fourteen days at one time. For every day
beyond this, there shall be a fine of two cents.
Every book returned shall remain in the Library until
the next Library day.
Books lost or damaged must be paid for or replaced. All
penalties shall be rigidly enforced, and the Librarian shall
deliver no books to any pierson who shall be delinquent by
non-payment of fines or unsettled claims for damage or loss
of books.
.All books shall be returned for annual inspection at such
time as the Library Committee may direct, under penalty of
one-half the cost of each book.
The Library ‘Will be open daily (excepting Sundays and
holidays) from 2 to 6, and from 7 to 9 o’clock.
Record number 611961788
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19880316141100.0
810225 s 1891 mau
01011648 I229994874.C..
MLNtbeng
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F74.S94|bH8
[Ayer. Mass..|bA S. Hudson]|c1891
p. cm,
Maynard (Mass.)|xDescrjption and travel
Maynard (Mass.)|xHistory.
Wayland (Mass.)|xHistory.
Wayland (Mas$.)|xOescription and travel
Sudbury (Mass.)|xDe$cription and travel
Sudbury (Mass.)ixHistory.
A8E-4266
Cat Date 04-01-2003
Btb Level m MONOGRAPH
Material Type a BOOK
eng d
0dl Stmnarv Verity
Bib Code 3 .
Country mau Massachusetts
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ViewOnty Mode
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Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2017 with funding from
Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/annalsofsudburywOOhuds_0
Gift of
Mr. and Mrs. George Vinsonhaler
October 1980
3 4869 00060 2
/*
For Reference
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THE
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ANNALS
OF
SUDBURY, WAYLAYD, AND MAYNARD,
1 1 D D LE SE X COUNTY ,
MASSACHUSETTS.
BY
ALFRED SERENO HUDSON, c/
AUTHOR OF
“HISTORA^ OF SUDBURAV’ “HISTORA^ OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH, AA'ER,” “FIRESIDE HYMNS,” “HOME MELODIES,” ETC.
“ Footprints on the sands of time.”
Longfellow.
ILLUSTRATED.
1891.
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Copyright
I!Y
ALFRED S. HUDSON,
1891.
TO
AVUO HAS BEEN AN EFFICIENT AND FAITIIFFI, CO-AVOKKEIi WITH -ME IN THE I>KEI>AI!ATU)N
OF THIS AND OTHEH DUBEICATIONS, THIS VOLUJIE, DESIGNED TO PEliPETUATE
THE NOBEE AND HEKOIC ACTIONS OF THE PKESENT AND 1‘AST
GENEKATTONS OF IIEI! TOWN AND JUNE, IS AFFEC-
TIONATELY AND GIIATEFULLY INSCKIBED.
PREFACE.
It is important for the reader of these pages to remember tliat the towns, whose annals are here
presented, with the exception of a part of Maynard, constituted the original township of Sudbury ; and
that, therefore, while this volume contains three distinct town histories, it contains, at the same time, the
history of one township.
Wayland and Maynard were not colonies of Sudbury, but had a common origin with it. Their
inhabitants assisted in laying out the Plantation, and in making its early laws ; they shared in common
the privations of the infant settlement, worshipped in the same church, and were buried in the same
church-yard. It is plain, then, that the history of either of these towns would be incomplete without the
histories of the others ; and, therefore, that it is appropriate to issue them all in one volume, and thus
furnish the public with a complete outline history of the ancient township of Sudbury, in all its parts,
down to the present time.
The above facts, moreover, will explain any repetition that may occur, and also show the necessity of
reading the whole book consecutively in ordei’ to get a complete history of either town.
A large part of the annals contained in this volume was prepared by the writer for the History of
Middlesex County, published by Lewis & Co., Philadelphia, and, to an extent, was originally written for
the “ History of Sudbury,” which was published by that town in 1889. This statement will account for
the size, shape, and general plan of the book. The Annals of Wayland have been supplemented by a
lengthy Appendix, because that town has had no comprehensive history published like that of Sudbury,
and the space allowed by the publishers of the County History was insufficient to admit of more than
a brief outline. Maynard is comparatively a new town, so that a complete history of it could be given
in the space allowed for the historic narrative as prepared for the work of Lewis & Co., hence no appen-
dix is needed.
March 20, 1891.
A. S. H.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
The author would hereby express his thanks to all persons who have in any way
aided in the publication of this volume.
Especial thanks are due to Mr. James S. Draper for his effort in soliciting pictures,
and for taking entire charge of all those which were made bv the Autoglyph process; also
for his valuable literary contributions, credit for which is given in this work ; and for valu-
able information relative to Way land.
Thanks are due to Mr. A. W. Cutting for taking photographs of several places and
otherwise aiding in the work of illustration.
Thanks are due to Mr. Atherton W. Rogers, who, as one of the Goodnow Library
Trustees, kindly furnished several plates from which pictures were made.
We would also recognize the services of those who have furnished pictures of persons
and places in which the community are interested.
We would also express our gratitude for information relative to the history of Maynard
which was received from the late Asahel Balcom, Esq.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
SUDBURY.
Date of Settlement.— Territorial Limits. — Indian
Name. — Indians. — Origin of Settlement. — By whom
Settled. — Names of Settlers. — Passenger List of the
Ship “Confidence.” — Character of the Settlers. — Land
Grants. — Indian Deeds. — Incorporation of the Town.
— Name. — Locality first Settled. — Town Meetings. —
Town OflScers. — Their Work. — Highways. — Bridges.
— Causeway. — Formation of Church. — Settlement of
Minister. — Erection of Meeting House. — Land Divi-
sions.— Cow Common. — Laying out of New Lands. —
The Thirty-Rod Highway. — Old Lancaster Road. —
The Hop-Brook Mill. — New Road. — New Meeting
House. — Cow Common Controversy. — King Philip’s
War. — Garrison Houses. — Attack on the Town. —
Date of Attack. — Number of the Indians. — General
Assault. — The Wadsworth Fight. — Forest Fire. — The
Retreat. — Loss of the English. — The Captured. — The
Survivors. — Burial of the Dead. — Place of Burial. —
Erection of Saw-Mill. — Death of Rev. Edmund Browm.
• — New Meeting-House. — Military Matters. — Schools.
— Division of the Town into two Parochial Precincts.
New Meeting-Houses. — French and Indian Wars. —
Work-House. — Sketch of Dr. Israel Loring. — Revo-
lutionary War. — Military Preparations. — Sudbury Sol-
diers at the Battle of Bunker Hill. — Government
Storehouses at Sand Hill. — Casualties. — Sketch of
Gen. John Nixon. — Division of the Town. — New
Meeting-House. — Formation of Methodist Church. —
Organization of Orthodox Congregational Church. —
Dismission and Settlement of Ministers. The Wads-
worth Monument. — Schools. — Wadsworth Academy.
— The Goodnow Library. — Railroads. — Civil War. —
List of Casualties. — Summary of Service. — Bi-Cen-
tennial.— George Goodnow Bequest. — Town Action
relative to the Publication of The History of Sud-
bury.— The 250th Anniversaiy Celebration. — Burying
Grounds. — Wayside Inn. — Sudbury River. — Incorpo-
ration of the Union Evangelical Church. — Erection
of Meeting-House at South Sudbury. — Building of
New School-House at Sudbury Centre. Village Im-
provement Society. — Board of Trade.
PART 11.
A ISTD.
Date of the Separation of Wayland Territory from
Sudbury. — Situation and Description of Territory. —
Special Land Grants. — Indian Owner. — Early Condi-
tion of the Country. — Indians. — ‘‘Connecticut Path.”
— Location of Early Homesteads. — Highways.— Bridg-
es.— Grist Mill. — Organization of Church. — Settle-
ment of Minister. — Erection of Meeting-House. —
Division of Meadow Land. — Principle of Division. —
Early Laws and Usages. — Common Planting Fields. —
Fences. — Staple Crops. — Climate. — Care of the Poor.
Encouragements to Industry. — Education. — Philip’s
War. — Services of Ephraim Curtis, the Scout. — Com-
mencement of Indian Hostilities. — The Attack. — The
Repulse. — Retreat of Enemy over the Town Bridge. —
Death of Rev. Edmund Brown. — Settlement of Rev.
James Sherman. — Purchase of Parsonage. — New
Meeting-House. — Expedition of Sir William Phipps.
— Education. — Rev. Samuel Parris. — Ecclesiastical
Matters. — French and Indian Wars, — Death of Rev.
William Cook. — Settlement of Rev. Josiah Bridge. —
Revolutionary War. — Services of East Sudbury Sol-
diers at Concord and Bunker Hill.— Number of Men
Engaged in the War. — Incorporation of East Sud-
bury.-— Soldiers of 1812. — New Meeting-House. —
Change of Name from East Sudbury to Wayland. —
Formation of the Evangelical Trinitarian Church. —
Civil War — Activity of the Town in Military Mat-
ters.— Number of Men Furnished for the U. S. Ser-
vice.— Casualties. — Railroads. — Public Libraries. —
New Town Hall.— Burying-Grounds. — Burial Customs.
— Taverns. — Old Roads. — Places of Interest.— Physi-
cians.— Sketches of Prominent Persons. — The River
Meadows. — Cochi tuate.
PART III.
M A_Y]SrA^RD.
Date of Incorporation. — Territorial Extent. — Situ-
ation.— As.sabet River. — Indian Name. — Facts rela-
tive to Sudbury and Stow. — Early Purchase of Terri-
tory.— Indian Deed.— Two Hundred-Acre Grant to
Wm. Brown. — Laying out and Apportionment of Land.
— Division of Land into Squadrons. — TheTantamous
Transfer. — Thirty-Rod Highway. — Pompasiticut. —
Indian Occupants. — Relics. — Tantamous. — Peter Je-
thro.— Tribal Relations of Indians. — Their Charac-
teristics.— Early Condition of the Country. — Early
English Occupants.— Philips War.— Indian Attack
on Sudbury. — Location of Early Homesteads. — Sketch
of Early Settlers and their Families. — Religious and ’
Educational Advantages. — First Places of Public '
Worship at Sudbury. — At Stow — Schools. — Customs.
— Laws. — Early Highways. — Bridges. — Grist-Mills. —
Character of the Settlers.— Military Spirit.— Military j
Services in the French and Indian Wars. — Service in I
the Revolutionary War.— Sudbury Service in the Civil
War. — Stow Service in the Civil War. — Influence of
the Northwest District of Sudbury in the Settlement
of Grafton, Mass. — Proprietors’ Meetings at the Rice
Tavern. — Influence of the Northwest District in the
Division of Sudbury into two Parochial Precincts. —
Names of Petitioners. — Ways of Living in the “Old-
en Times.”— Commencement of Business Activity at
.Assabet. — Formation of Village. — Improvement of
Water Power.— Purchase of Mill Privilege by Amory
Maynard. — Erection of Factories. — Development of
the Woolen Business. — Miscellaneous Industries. —
Formation of Congregational Church. — Erection of
Meeting-House. — Organization of Methodist Church.
— Roman Catholic Church. — Incorporation of May-
nard.— Name. — Reasons for Separation from the
Towns of Sudbury and Stow. — Statistics. — Celebra-
tion Expenses.— Educational Matters. — High School.
— School Accommodations. — Report of Committees.
— Public Library. — Cemeteries. — Railroads. — Secret
Societies. — Biographical Sketch of Amory Maynard.
— Funeral of Amory Maynard. — Natural Features of
the Town. — The Assabet River. — Pompasiticut Hill.
PART IV.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OE WAYLAND.
Indian Occupation. — “The Old Indian Burying
Ground.” — “Connecticut Path.” — The O'd Burying
Ground. — The Grave of Rev. Edmund Brown. —
Location of First Meeting-House. — Succession of
Meeting-Houses. — Industries. — Slaves and Colored
Servants. — Work-house. — Small Pox Hospitals. —
Town Area, etc. — Irregularity of the Town Bounda-
ry line at Sandy Hill. — First Official Board of East
Sudbury, 1780. — Changes in the Occupants of Old
Homesteads. — Schools. — The Public Library. — Indian
Relics. — College Graduates. — Wayland Centre, 1890.
— Order of Exercises at the Town Hall Dedication. —
Semi-Centennial Services of the Evangelical Trinita-
rian Church. — Repairs and Rededication of the Meet-
ing-House of the Evangelical Trinitarian Church. —
Remodelling of the Unitarian Meeting-House. — Sol-
diers’ Memorial.— Permanent Funds of Wayland. —
The Shoe Business and its Growth at Cochituate. —
Location of Homesteads along the Wayland High-
ways.— Sudbury in the Settlement of other Towns :
Framingham, Marlboro, Worcester, and Rutland. —
Philip’s War, 1675-6. Historical Papers; Petition;
Account of Losses; Facts and Incidents. — Stage
Coaches. — Private Conveyances. — Railroads. — Tav-
erns.— The “Corner Tavern.” — The “Pequod House.”
— The “Street Tavern.” — The “Baldwin Tavern.” —
The “Reeves Tavern.” — Temperance. — Causeways.
“Old Town Bridge.” — The “New Bridge.” — “Sher-
man’s Bridge.” — “Canal Bridge.” — “ Farm Bridge.” —
Dry Bridges — “ Hay Bridge.” — ■“ Whale’s Bridge.” —
Animals and Birds of the River Meadows. — Haymak-
ing on the River Meadows. — Cranberry Picking. —
Natural Features. — Hills. — Ponds. — Mill-Dams. —
Streams. — Roll of Honor. — East Side Militia of the
French and Indian War Period; Active Militia Com-
pany, 1757; Alarm List; East Side Soldiers in the
Revolutionary War ; Militia Company, April 19,1775;
South Militia Company, April 19, 1775; Minute Com-
pany, April 19, 1775; Troop of Horse, April 19, 1775;
Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775 ; Muster Rolls ; Capt. May-
nard’s Muster Roll ; Capt. Cutting’s Muster Roll ;
Wayland Soldiers in the Civil War; Biographical
Sketch of Dr. Joseph R. Draper. — Poetical Selec-
tions. Edmund H. Sears. Christmas Song; — Christ-
mas Carol; Song for the Coming Crisis. — Abby B.
Hyde. Prayer for the Children of the Church ; Ark ;
Psalm cxiv. 10. — Richard Fuller. OurCrane; Reeves’
Hill. — Lucy A. Lee. Unveiled Angels, or Afflictions;
My Veil. — Thomas W. Parsons. Birthplace of Rob-
ert Burns; My Sudbury Mistletoe ; Paradisi Gloria. —
Emma Lucilla [Reeves] Fuller. Nature’s Anthems;
My Country’s Harp ; Peace. — James S. Draper. The
Change Called Death ; Going to Sleep ; Growing Old.
— Samuel D. Robbins. Waiting; Faith and Science ;
Euthanasia. — Lydia Maria Child. To the Trailing
Arbutus ; The Wo. ld that I am Passing Through. —
Alfred S. Hudson. The Home of Lydia Maria Child;
Mystery; The Broken Household.
PART V
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
AND
HISTORIES OF’ HOUSES.
Former or Pr'esent Residents of Sudbury. Pages
177-181. — Josiah Ballard, Charles L. Goodnow, Alfred
S. Hudson, Samuel B. Rogers, Homer Rogers, Thom-
as Stearns.
Former or Present Residents of IVayiand. Pages
181-198. — Anna M. Bent, James M. Bent, Joseph
Bullard, Lydia M. Child, Thomas J. Damon, James
Draper, James S. Draper, Nabby A. Draper, William
R. Dudley, Lucilla [Reeves] Fuller, Richard Fuller,
Abel Gleason, Newell Heard, Richard Heard, Horace
Heard, Abby B. Hyde, Lucy A. Lee, Edward Mellen,
Thomas W. Parsons, Samuel D. Robbins, Edmund
H. Sears, John N. Sherman, John B. Wight.
Early Grantees. Pages 199-204. — John Bent, Ed-
mund Brown, Thomas Cakebread, Henry Curtis, Hugh
Drury, John Grout, Hugh Griffin, Solomon Johnson,
Henry Loker, John Loker, John Maynard, John Moore,
Peter King, Thomas King, Peter Noyes, Thomas
Noyes, John Parmenter, Sr., John Parmenter, Jr.,
Edmund Rice, Henry Rice, John Rutter, John Smith,
John Stone, William Wood, Philemon Whale, John
Woodward, Thomas White, Anthony Whyte.
Histories of Houses, and Statements relating to the
Pictures of them. Sudbury Houses. — Wayside Inn.
— George Pitts House. — Mill Village Tavern, South
Sudbury. — Sudbury Centre Tavern. — Haynes Garri-
son House. — Brown Garrison House. — Walker Gar-
rison House. — Parmenter Garrison House. — Loring
Parsonage. — Bigelow Parsonage. — Hurlbut Parson-
age.— Congregational Parsonage. — Richardson’s Saw
and Grist Mill. — Government Store-House. — Lanham
District School-House. — Gardiner and Luther Hunt’s
Grocery Store. — Dr. Thomas Stearns’ House. — Dr.
Moses Taft House. — Unitarian Meeting-House. —
Town House.— Methodist Meeting-House.— Orthodox
Meeting-House. — Memorial Church. — Residence of
Samuel B. Rogers.
Waylatid Houses. — Old Grist Mill. — Bridge Par-
sonage.— Dr. Roby House. — Residence of Willard
Bullard (Old Green Store). — Unitarian Meeting-
House. — Orthodox Church. — Child Cottage. — Old
Red Store (Newell Heard’s). — Ira Draper Homestead.
Miscellaneous Records.
PART VI.
Quarter-Millennial Anniversary Exercises at Sud-
bury and Wayland, September 4th, 1889.
Index of Persons’ Names.
Errata.
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Wayside Inn,
Goodnow Library,
Township Map,
Rev. A. S. Hudson,
Mill Village,
Mill Village Tavern,
Sudbury Centre Tavern,
Dr. Thomas Stearns’ House,
Charles Goodenow,
The Brown Garrison House,
The Parmenter Garrison House,
The Haynes Garrison House,
Richardson Saw and Grist Mill,
The Wadsworth Grave,
The George Pitts Tavern,
The Coring Parsonage,
Government Store-House,
The Hurlbut Parsonage,
Wadsworth Academy, .
Residence of Hon. C. F. Gerry,
Rev. fosiah Ballard,
Memorial Church, South Sudbury,
Orthodox Church, Sudbury Centre,
Unitarian Meeting-House, Waylanc
Centre Frontisp
Frontispiece.
Preliminary pages.
H ti
Frontispiece to Part I.
0pp. page 2
4
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20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
Map of House Lots,
• 0pp. page 38
Old Grist-Mill, Wayland,
“ 40
Abel Glezen, ....
“ 42
Residence of Abel Glezen, .
44
Newell Heard, ....
46
“ Old Red Store,” Wayland Centre,
“ 48
Residence of Willard Bullard,
“ 50
Orthodox Church, Wayland Centre,
52
ece to Part II.
Joseph Bullard,
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54
Dr. Roby House, .
56
Richard Heard,
58
Nobscot Hill,
Frontispiece to Part III.
Walker Garrison House,
. Opp. page 68
Sudbury Centre, .
72
Wayland Town Hall, .
Frontispiece to Part I\’.
Rev. J. B. Wight, .
. . Opp. page 90
The Ira Draper Homestead,
“ 96
Mrs. Nabby A. Draper,
“ 102
James M. Bent,
. . “ 104
Thomas Damon, .
. . “ 120
Wayside Inn and Ancient Oaks, . Before page 131
The Old Town Bridge,
139
Baldwin’s Pond, .
147
Dr. E. H. Sears, .
157
James S. Draper,
.Opp. page 167
Home of Lydia Maria Child,
173
Residence of Jas. S. Draper,
Frontispiece to Part V.
Samuel Rogers,
. Opp. page 180
Mrs. Anna M. Bent,
“ 182
Lydia Maria Child,
184
James Draper,
. After page 186
William Dudley, .
. . Opp. page 188
Horace Heard,
“ 190
John N. Sherman,
. . “ 192
Hon. Edward Mellen, .
“ 196
Dr. Moses Taft House,
“ 205
Landham School-House,
. . “ 210
Hon. Homer Rogers, .
F rontispiece to Part V I .
Wadsworth Monument, Opp. page 32 of Part VI.
Summer Residence of Hon.
Homer Rogers,
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THE GOODNOW LIBRARY,
South Sudbury.
SUDBURY, WAYLAND, MAYNARD,
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PART I.
Rev. Alfred S, Hudson
THE ANNALS
OF
SUDBUKY, MASS.
Thy hills and vales we love them well,
And full our feelings rise ‘and swell,
Ajid thrill with joy, to speak and tell
Of thy past history.
Loved history that thy sons revere.
Fair record that they hold most dear.
Break forth, and fill our hearts with cheer.
By thy sweet minstrelsy.
The Author.
<1
SUDBURY.
1630.
The town of Sudbury was settled in 1638, and
received its name in 1639. It was the nineteenth
town in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the
second situated beyond the flow of the tide. Orig-
inally it was bounded on the east by that part of
Watertown which is now Weston, on the north by
Concord, and southerly and westerly by the wilder-
ness, or the unclaimed lands of the Colony.
The Indian name of the river and country adja-
cent on the north was Musketaquid, or Musketah-
quid, and it is presumable that the same name was j
applied to this region. Musketahquid is supposed to j
be made up of two Indian words — muskeht, mean-
ing “ grass,” and ahkeit, which signifies “ ground ; ”
and if applied to the river, “grassy brook,” or
“ meadow brook.” The name formed by these
words, it is stated, as nearly resembles Musketah-
quid as the Indian dialect will allow. (Shattuck.)
As the same stream runs through Concord and Sud-
bury, and the meadows in these places are equally
green and broad, it is not by any means unlikely
that the same term was applied to each place and
the river, as it runs through them both. This is
rendered still more probable by the fact that Karto,
the Indian owner of the land first granted at Sud-
bury, was also an owner, with others, of the terri-
tory at Concord ; as the Colony records inform us
that Karto, with Tahattawan, the sachem of that
place, with some others, consented to the sale of
territory to the English in 1637. As Karto lived
in the territory that is now Sudbury, and his wig-
wam was not far from the river, it is presumable
that he would call the stream, as it flowed near his
home, by the same name that it was known by as
it flowed through his domains a few miles farther
north.
Indians. — The discovery of numerous relics in-
dicates that the land was once considerably occupied
by Indians, but at the time of the town’s settlement
probably but few lived there. The names of Karto.
Nataous, Peter Jethro, Old Jethro or Tantamous,
belonged to prominent natives, and of these some
j few facts are preserved. Karto was the Indian
owner of that part of Sudbury winch was first
! granted to the English. Plis home was at a hill a
j little southeast of Sudbury Centre, called Good-
I man’s Hill. The name Goodman was given him by
the English. It is said he was an attendant on the
preaching of Rev. Edmund Brown, the first minis-
ter of Sudbury, and that by his preaching he was
converted to Christianity. Nataous, also called
Netus, and sometimes William of Sudbury, was
prominently connected with the events of King
Philip’s War. In the destruction of the Eames
I homestead at Framingham, and the capture of the
inmates, he took a conspicuous part by acting as
\ leader. He was also present at the midnight en-
! counter between the English and Indians near Sud-
I .
bury, on the night of March 27, 1676, on which
occasion he was slain. He was associated with the
Nipnet Indians, who inhabited the interior of Mass-
achusetts, and was sometimes called the Nipmuck
Captain.
Tantamous, who was also called Jethro, and
more commonly Old Jethro, to distinguish him from
his sou, Peter Jethro, or Jethro the Younger, lived
at Nobscot during a portion of his later life. In his
earlier years it is supposed he lived at Isabaeth, the
country about the Assabet River, now Maynard.
He was a prominent personage among the Indians,
and known as a powwow, or medicine-man. Gookin
says of him ; “ This man and his relations were not
praying Indians ; ” that “ they lived at a place near
Sudbury, Nobscot Hill, and never submitted to the
Christian profession (except his son, Peter), but
separated from them.”
2
SUDBURY.
Peter Jethro was also called Animatohu and Ilan- 1
tomush. In 1650 he lived at Natick, and was one
of Rev. Mr. Eliot’s converts. lie had a good edu-
cation for an Indian, and was held in high esteem.
Gookin speaks of him as a “ grave and pious In-
dian.” He was sent to Washakin (Stirling) as
teacher and preacher to the Indians. The indica-
tions are that the Indians had homes and favorite
hunting-grounds, not only about Nobscot and Good-
man’s Hill, but also along the river course and
about Cochituate Pond. Tradition says they had a
burying-ground at what is now Wayland ; and on
West Brook, a little southerly of Sand Hill, was the
Indian bridge. Probably the country was largely
depopulated by the repeated plagues which devas-
tated the region of Massachusetts Bay about the
time of its occupation by the English. As a gen-
eral thing the whites and Indians lived on friendly
terms in Sudbury prior to King Phili[)’s AVar. And
when that war began and the town was attacked, it
was mostly by inv.aders, and not by parties who
ever had a riijhtful claim to the soil.
> . , , i
'I'he town was settled by Englishmen. The !
plan of settlement probably originated at AVater- !
town, which was settled a few years previous by
Sir Richard Saltonstall and company, who came to !
America in the ship “ Arbella.”
To a large extent, the settlers came direct from
England. Bond, the historian of A\’’atertown, says:
“ Only a small proportion of the names of the early
grantees of Sudbury are on the AA'atertown records ;
and some who went there returned. Some, whose
names are on the records of both places, were either
residents of Sudbury but a very short time, or, it
may be, never lived there at all.”
From the town records we have compiled the
following list of the early grantees or settlers, who
went to the Sudbury Plantation about 1638 or
1639;
Mr. William Pelliam. Mr. K.dmuml Ilrowne, -Mr. Peter Noyse
Hryaii Pendleton, Walter Maine, John Maine, John Blanford,
IMigh Griffyn, Edmond Goodnowe. Hohert Beast, Thomas Noyse,
Thomas Browne, Robert Darnill, Willi.am Browne, Thomas
Goodnow, John Freeman, Solomon Johnson, William Ward,
Kichai’d Newton, .lohn Howe, George Jtunnings, .-Vnthony
Whyte, Andrew Belcher, .John Goodnowe, ,Jonn Reddock,
Thomas Whyte, .John Knight, William Parker, .John Parmenter,
Sr., Edmond Rice. Henry Rice, Wyddow Buffumthyte, Henry
Curtis, John Stone, .lohn Parmenter, .Jr., .John Rutter, John |
Toll. Henry Loker, .John Wood, .John J.oker, Widow Wright,
.John Bent, Nathaniel Treadaway, Robert Hunt, Widow Hunt,
.John Maynard, .Joseph Taintor, Robert Fordum, or Fordham,
Thomas .Joslyn, or .Jslen, Richard Sanger, Richard Bild-
come, Itobert Davis, Henry Prentiss, Wilii.am Kerley, Thomas
Hoyte, Thomas Flyn.
The following are names of persons who were at
the settlement soon after it began :
Thomas Axdell, Thomas Read, .John Moore, Thomas Bisbig,
Thomas Plympton, Hugh Drury, Philemon Whale, William How,
John Smith, Thomas Ruckmiuster, .John Grout, Thomas Cake-
bread, John Redit, John Waterman, Goodman Witherell, John
George, Thomas King, Peter King, .Jonas or James Pendleton,
.John Woodward, Shadrach Hapgood, Edward Wright.
Of the Sudbury settlers who once lived in AA'ater-
town, we have the following names ; Robert Betts
(Beast). Thomas Cakebread, Henry Curtis, Robert
Daniel (Darnell). John Grout, Solomon Johnson,
.lohii Knight, George Munnings, William Parker,
Bryan Pendleton, Richard Sanger, .loseph Tainter,
Anthony White, Goodman (John) AA'etherell, Na
thaniel Treadaway, John Stone.
Of those who came direct from England, we
have on a single ship’s list of passengers the names
of some of the most promi .ent persons in the
Sudbury Plantation, namely :
“ The list of the names of the Passengre Intended for New Eng-
land in the good shipp the Confidence, of Lomlon, of C C. tonnes,
.John .Jobson Mr and thus by vertue of the I.ord Treasrs want of
the xjth of April, lltJS. Southampton, 24ii .Vprill IKiS.
“ Walter Hayne of Sutton Man.lifield in the
County of Wilts I,ennen Weaver 5.5
Eliz : Hayne his wife
Thomas Hayne j their sonnes
.John Hayne [ under It!
.Josias Hayne 1 yeares of age
Sufferance Hayne I their
Mary H.ayne f daughters
.John Blanford , their 27
John Riddett i 2G
Rieh Bildcombe ' servants 16
Peter Noyce of I’enton in the
County of South" (^Southampton) yeoman 47
Thom.as Noyce his sonne 15
Eliz: Noyce his daughter
Robert Davis , his 30
.John Rutter ( 22
JIargaret Davis 1 servants 20
Nicholas Guy I i carpenter 60
I Southampton >
.Jane his wife
Mary Guy his daughter
Joseph Taynter I sg^vants
Robert Bayley '
John Bent of Penton in the
County of South" Husband-
man 35
Martha Bent his wife
Robert Bent
William Bent
Peter Bent
.John Bent
Ann Bent
.John Goodeuowe of Semley
of Welsheir Husbandman 42
.lane Goodeuowe his wife
Lydia Goodenowe I their
.Jane Goodenowe > daughters
Edmund Goodenowe of Dun-
head in Wilsheire Husbandman 27
Ann Goodenowe his wife
.John Goodenowe > their sonnes
Thomas Goodenowe > 4 years and
' under
Richard Sanger his servant
Thomas Goodeuowe of Shasbury § 30
Jane Goodenowe his wife
their children
all under ye age
of 12 years
MILL VILLAGE, SOUTH SUDBURY.
SUDBURY.
Thomas Goodenowe liis sonno
Urauiii Gooclenowe liis sister
Edmond Kerley ) of Ashmore 22
William Kerley J ilushiuidmcn ”
It i.s not certain that the young men mentioned in
this ship’s list as ‘‘ servants,” or “hired men,” ever
came in that capacity. John Rutter was by trade a
carpenter; Richard Sanger was a blacksmith ; one
had a family when he came; two others were after-
ward sons-in law of the persons in whose employ they
ostensibly came; and all of them took their place
among the substantial men of the settlement.
It was a tradition among the descendants of John
Rutter, without their having a knowledge that this
ship’s list was in existence, that their ancestor came
to this country disguised as a servant.
The state of the times and the strictness of Eng-
lish laws at that period, with regard to ships and em-
igrants coming to America, might be a reason why
some might come in disguise. If this was so in the
case of one, it might have been so with regard to the
rest.
In connection with the names of the settlers, it is
appropriate to state something of their character. In
attempting this, perhaps we can do no better than to
say that they fitly represented the noble element
that came to the New England shores at that period.
They were Puritans both in theory and practice; and
afar from the conveniences and luxuries of their na-
tive land, sought in a new country a home remote
from ecclesiastical and political strife. They em-
barked for America at a time when England was in
an unsettled condition, and when ship after ship was
bringing to these shores some of her purest and
stanchest citizens. The whole trend of their conduct
is indicative of self-reliance, though they recognized
all proper authority. What the common weal re-
quired they took hold of with zest ; and in their adher-
ence to what they thought suitable, they showed a
perseverance truly commendable. Their proceedings
in town-meeting, and the manner in which the records
were kept, indicate that the education of a part of
them at least was good for the times; and the meas-
ures enacted for the common convenience and wel-
fare show common sense and sagacity.
As a religious people, they in no way lacked what
we ascribe to the historic Puritan. Although com-
pelled by circumstances to economize all their re-
sources, and to make the most of time, talents and
strength to meet the demands of every-day life, yet
they found time to serve their Creator, and praise and
adore Him in their forest home. Their Christianity
manifested itself in their steadfast adherence to the
Christian faith, in their reliance on God, and their
love for His holy law.
Industry was a prominent characteristic. From
the minister down to the humblest citizen, each had
a share in the manual work of the settlement. Though
the minister’s salary was in part paid in produce.
yet he was assigned lands and attended to husbandry.
Another characteristic trait of the settlers seems lo
have been their desire for territorial enlargement and
possession, and for the pioneering of new places. To
such an extent did this spirit prevail in Sudbury and
its neighboring town, C rncord, that the following
law was passed by the Court in 1G45 :
“ In regard of the great danger that Concord, Sudbury and Dedham
will be exposed uato, being inland Townes and but thinly peopled, it is
ordered that no man now inhabiting and settled in any of the s’d
Townes (whether married or single)' shall remove to any other Town
without the allowance of the magistrates or the selectmen of the towns,
until they shall obtain leave to settle again.”
The settlers of Sudbury were young men, or in the
prime of stirring manhood ; they were not patriarchs
near the close of their pilgrimage. Even those wdth
w’hom, because of their prominence, 'we most associ-
ate dignity and gravity, were comparatively young
men when the settlement began. By the passenger-
list of the “Confidence ” it will be noticed that only
Walter Haine had reached the age of fifty-five, and
John Rutter was only twenty-two ; Robert Davi.s,
thirty; John Blandford, twenty-seven ; John Reddet,
twenty-six ; Peter Noyes, forty-seven ; John Bent,
thirty-five; John Goodenowe, forty-two; Edmond
Goodenowe, twenty-seven ; Thomas Goodenowe,
thirty. These ages are doubtless correct, as we have
in 1666 a deposition made by one of them, Edmund
Goodenowe, in which he alleges that he is about
fifty-five years old. Rev. Eimund Browne was in
about the prime of life when he came to the planta-
tion ; and Edmund Rice was about thirty-four. In
fact, we find in an old petition presented at the close
of Philip’s War, in 1676, from a dozen to a score or
more of names that may have belonged to the early
grantees. Probably from a quarter to a half century
passed before there was a generation of old men in
Sudbury.
Land Grants. — The territory of Sudbury was in
part granted to the people collectively who formed
the plantation and established the town, and in part
to individuals. The grants to the former were allowed
at three different times, and were preceded by three
different petitions. The first petition met with a re-
sponse November 20, 1637, of which the following is
a copy :
“ Whereas a great part of the chief inhabitants of Watertown have pe-
titioned tliis Court, that in regard to their straitness of accommodation,
and want of meadow, they nright have leave to remove and settle a plan-
tation upon the river, which runs to Concord, this Court, havingrespect
to their necessity, doth grant theirpetition, and it is hereby ordered, that
Lieut. (Simon) Willard, Mr. (William) Spencer, Mr. Joseph Weld and Mr.
(Richard) Jackson shall take view of the places upon said river, and shall
set out a place for them by marks and bounds sufficieut for fifty or sixty
families, taking care that it be so set out as it may not hinder the settling
of some other plantation upon the same river, if there be meadow, and
other accommodations sufficient for the same. And it is ordered, further,
that if the said inhabitants of Watertown, or any of them, shall not have
removed their dwellings to their said new plantation, before one year after
the plantation shall be sot .out, that then the interest of all such persons,
not so removed to the said plantation, shall be void and cease, and it
shall be lawful for such as are removed and settled there, or the greater
part of them, being freemen, to receive other persons to inhabit in their
4
Sill) BURY.
ruoni8» ill the naid plantation ; provided^ that il' there shall not he thirty
families at least there settled before the said time limited, that then this
(X>nrt) or the Court of Assistants, or two of the Council, shall dis-
pose of the said planUition to any other. And it i> further ordered, that
after the place of the said plantation shall be set out, the siiid ]K'titiou-
ers, or any such other ficomcn i\s shall join them, shall have power to
order the situation of their town, and the proportioning of lots, and all
other liberties as other towns have under the proviso aforesaid. .\iid it
is lastly ordered^ that such of the said inhabitants of Watertown, as shall
bo accommodated in their new plantation, may sell their houses and im-
proved grounds in Watertown ; but all the rest of tlio laud in Water-
town, not improved, shall remain freely to the inhabitants, which shall
remain behind, and such others as shall come to them.
** And the said persons appointed to set out the stud plantation, are di-
rected so to set out the same, as there may be HOC acres of meadow al-
lowed to it, if it be there to be had, with any convenience, for (he use of
the town.’* (“Colony Records,” vol. i. p. 210.)
The Court, having granted the request for a planta-
tion at Sudbury, allowed the petitioners to go on witli
their work, and appointed a committee to establish
the bounds and make an allotment of land.
The land first appropriated was supposed to com-
prise a tract about five miles square. It had for
boundaries Concord on the north, Watertown (now
AVeston) on the east, and on the south a line running
from a point a little east of Nobscot Hill along
the present Framingham and Sudbury boundary
direct to the AVeston town bound, and on the west a
line two miles east of the present western boundary.
The second grant was of an additional mile. This
was allowed to make up a deficiency in the first
grunt, which deficiency was discovered on making
a survey a few years after the settlement began, and
it was petitioned for May 13, 1G40. The petition
was fi.ir a mile in length on the southeast and south-
west sides of the town ; and it was allowed on condi-
tion that it would not prevent the formation of another
plantation, “ or hinder Airs Glover’s farm of six hun-
dred acres formerly granted.” (Colony Record, vol. i.
j). 289 )
The third tract was granted in 1G49. It contained
an area two miles wide, extending along the entire
length of tlie western boundary. The Colony Record
concerning this grant is : “That Sudberry is granted
two miles westward next adjoining to them for their
furth'' inlargement, provided it [prejudice] not AV™
Browne in his 200 acres already granted.” (A^ol. ii.
p. 273.)
Besides these three grants there were others made to
individuals. One of these was to AVilliam Browne, of
which the record is as follows: “In answer to the
petition of A\’“ Browne fibr two hundred ac"^* dew for
twenty five j)ounds putt into the joynet stocke by
AB® Ann Harvey, his Aunt, from whom he made it
appear to the Court he had sutficyent deputacon to
re(iuire it, his request was grannted ; viz., 200 ac” of
land to be layed out to him w‘''out the west lyne of
Sudbury, by Capt. Simon AVTllard & Seargeant
AVheeler.” All this land was probably in that part
of Sudbury which is now Alaynard. The first tract
for the plantation was purchased in 1638 of Karte,
ihe Indian proprietor, and it has been supposed that
a deed was given ; but this is not essential as evidence
of the purchase, since, in the deed given by Karte for
land subsequently bought, he acknowledged the sale
of the first tract in the statement that it was sold to
“George Alunniiigs and to the rest of the plantei-s of
Sudbury.” In this first bargain of real estate it is
supposed that Air. Aluunings acted as agent for the
settlers, and that he, together wiih Brian Pendleton,
advanced the money for payment.
The second tract was also purcluised of Karte, who
gave a deed, of which the following is a true copy :
Indian Deed.
“ Reo it known vnto all men by tbese jircsonts tlmt I Cato otbcnv ise
Gootlman for & in consuierution of fyvo poumU I have received in
comiiKHiities c'c w Aiiipiiinpea^e of Walter Hayiie & Grillin of Sud-
bury in behalf of themselves A the rest of tlie planters of Sudbury ; doe
this niy write in give grant bargain Sell vnto the said Walter Hayiie
— (Ilaine)—*.^ Hugli Gritbn A’ the said planters of the town of Sudbury
so much land southward «Sr so much land westward next adjoining to a
tract of laud w«^ I said Cato formerly souled vnto George Muuniugs A
the rest of the planters of Sudbury as may make the bounds of the said
tt»wn to be full fy ve miles square w*h all meadows, brooks, liberties, priv-
iledges <& apperlenances thereto belonging w*h all tlie said ti*act of land
granted. And I grant vnto them for me A mine heirs A brethren that I
A they shall A will at any tymo make any further assurance in writing
for the more p'ft assuring of the s'd land A all the premises iho
apperteiiances vnto the s'd Walter Haine A Hugh Griffin A the
planter A their successors forever as they shall require.
“Ill witness whereof I herevnto put my hand A seal the tw'entieth
day of the fourth mouth one thousand six hundred forty eight.
“ Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
“ Kmmanuel Downing
Eimikaim Chilu
CuTCHAMCKiN [mark] ^
Jojenny [murk] J
brothers of Cato
“This deed was sealed A acknowledged bythe s^ Cato (w'ho truly
understood the contents of it the day A year above written) Before
niee.
“John Winthbop, Governor.
*• Registry of Deeds
“Suffolk Co. Mass.”
The deed for the land last granted, or the two-mile
tract to the westward, is on record at the Aliddlesex
Registry of Deeds, Cambridge, and the following is a
true copy of a portion of it :
** For as much as the Gen^ Court of the Massachusetts Colony in New
England hath formerly granted to the Towne of Sudbury in the County
of Middlesex in the same Colony, an addition of land of two miles w'est-
ward of their former grant of five miles, which isalso layd out & joyneth
to it : and whereas the English occupiers, proprietors and possessors
thereof have chosen Capt. Edmond Goodenow, Leif* Josiah Haynes,
John Goodenow', John Brigham A Joseph Freeman to be a comittee
fur theniselvs A for all the rest of the English proprietors thereof, giving
them their full pow er to treat with A to purchase the same of the Indian
proprietors of the s** tract of land A to satisfy & pay them for their
native, ancient A hereditary right title A intrest thereunto.
** Know all People by these presents — That wee, Jehojakim, John
Magus, John Muskqua A liis two daughters Esther A Rachel, Benjanien
Bohue, John Speen A Sai*ah bis wife, James Speen, Dorothy Wennetoo,
A Humphrey Bohue her sou, Mary Neppaniun, Abigail the daughter of
Josiah Harding, Peter Jethro, Peter Huskqiiaiiiogh, John Boman,
David Mannoan A Betty w ho are the ancient native A hereditary Indian
proprietors of the afores'^ two miles of land (for & in consideiation of the
just A full sum of twelve pounds of current niony of New’ England to
them in hand well A truly paid at or before the ensealing A delivery
hereof by the said Cap* Edmond Goodenow, Leift. Josiah Haines, John
Goodenow, John Brigham & Joseph Freeman in behalfe of themsehes
and of the rest of the English possessors, occupiers, proprietors A fel-
low-purchasers) the receipt whereof they do heieby acknowledge A
F
Sudbury Centre.
See page 205.
South Sudbury.
See page 205.
SUDBURY.
iherwith to be fully Biitisfieil, coiiteiitea & paid & thereof and of every
part & parcell thereof they do hereby for theniselvs i their heyi-s Exe-
cutors Administrators & assigns clearly fully & absolutely release, ac-
quitt exonenite A discharge them & all the Engl isli possessors, occupiers,
proprietoi-s A fellow-purchasers of the same & all & every one of their
heyrs Executors, Administrators, Assigns & successor forever) Have
given, granted, bargained, sold, alliened, enseoesed, made over & con-
firmed. & by these presents, do give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, enseosse,
make over, coufirme & deliver all that their s't tract A parcells of lauds
of two miles (bee it more or less scitnate lying & being) altogether in
one entire parcell in the s'! Town of Sudbury in the County of Middle-
sex aforesJ & lyeth al along throughout on the westerne side of the old
five miles of the s>i Towue A adjoyueth thereunto (together with the
farnie lands of the heyrs of William Browne that lyeth within the same
tract, unto the Capt. Edmond Goodenow, Leifi Josiah Haines, John
Goodenow, John Brigham A Joseph Freeman A pnto all A every one of
the rest of the English possessors, occupiers, proprietors A fellow-pur-
chasers thereof as the same is limited, butted A bounded on the East by
the old ptirt of the s<i Towne of Sudbury (which was the five miles at
first granted to the s'! Towne) A is butted A bounded northerly by the
line or bounds of the Towne of Concord, Westerly by the line or bounds
of the Towne of Stow A is bounded southerly A partly westerly by the
lauds of M' Thomas Danforth. . . .
“ Furlhermore wee the above named Indian Grantors do hereby oblige
A engage ourselve.s all and every one of our heyrs executors Adm« as-
signs A successors unto the s^ English possessors occupiers A proprietors
A fellow-purchasers A to all and every one of their heyrs executors ad-
ministraters and^assigns that wee and every one of ns A ours as aforesa
shall A will from time to time A at at all times readily A effectually do
(at our own propper costs and charges) or cause to be so done any other or
further act or acts thing or things that the law doth or may require for
more sure making and full confirming of all A singular the hereby
granted premises unto the s'* Edmond Goodenow, Josiah Haines, John
Goodenow, John Brigham A Joseph Freeman A unto all A every one of
the rest of the English possessors, occupiers proprietors and fellow-
purchasers of the premises A unto all A every one of their heyrs exec-
utors administrators and assigns for ever. In Wilnefs w hereof the above
named Indian Grantors have hereunto each for themselves A altogether
sett their hands and seals dated the 11<I> day of July in the year of our
Lord God one thousand six hundred eighty A four. Annoqe Kegui
Regis Caroli Secundi XXXVI.
“ Jehojakim his mark X for himselfe A by order of A for John
Boman A scale. O
John Magos for himselfe A by order of A for Jacob Magos bis
father A scale. O
Musqua John A for his two daughters Rachel A Esther A
seale. O
John Spern his marke | A for A by order of Sarah his wife A
seale. O
Abigail Daughter of Josiah Harding and his sole heyr (>« her
marke and seale. O
Sarah C her marke who is the widdow of Josiah Harding and
mother of s'! Abigail A her Guardian.
Peter Musquamog -1- his mark and seale. O
Bf.xjajien Bouew his R marke and scale. O
Dorothy Wenneto her 0 marke and seale. O
Mary Nepamun he Q mark and seale. O
Betty her ) marke A seale
Peter Jethro A a seale
John ><! Boman his marke A seale
James Speen A seale
“ Cambe 15 Octo'’ 1G8I All the persons that have signed A sealed
this instrument appeared before me this day A year above written A
freely acknowledged this writing to be their act and deed
“ Daniel Gookin Sen' Assist.
“Endorsement — All the Grantors of the instrument within written
beginning with Jehojakim A ending w-ith Peter Muskquamog did sign
seale A deliver s'* instrument in presence of us.
“ John Greene — James Bernard —
“ Moreover wee underwritten did see Benjamin Bohew Dorothy M an-
neto A Mary A Betty Xepamun signe seale A deliver this instrument the
Isa* day of Octoti 1C81. “Andrew Pittaviee % his marke
JA3IES Hlmny marke
Samuel Goff, Jajies Barnard
Daniel Sacowambati
“ Feb' 1, 18(i4 Memorandum — Wee whose names are nnderwritlen did
see Peter Jethro signe A seale A deliver y' within written instrument
" James Bauxaru — Stephen fq Gates his marke
“ Peter .lethro, Indian, apiieared before me the fifth day of February —
ICSI A freely acknow ledged this w riting w ithin to be his act A deed A
ythe put his hand A seale tl^ereunto. Daniel. GooKiN Sen' Allift.
“John Boman did signe seale A deliver the within written deed the
23 : of February in the year of our Lord one thousand si.x hundred
eighty and four in presence of ue
“ John Balcosi + Samuel Freeman his marke.
“James Speen A John Bowman appeared before me in court at Natick
A acknowledged they have signed A sealed this instrument among
others May IS* 1684. Jajies Gookin Sen' Afflst.
“Roxbiiry' April 16. 85.
“ Charles Josias, Sachem of the Massachu'etts, having read A consid-
ered the within written deed with the consent of his Guardians A Coun-
cellors underwritten doth for himself A his heyrs allow of) ratify A con-
firm the within wri ten sale to the Inhabitants of Sudbury A their
heyrs for ever, the lauds therein bargained A sold. 2’o have A- to hold
to the s’d Indabitants of Sudbury their heyrs and assigns for ever A bath
hereunto set bis hand A seale the day above written.
“Charls^i Josias hie marke A Seale
“ Allowed by us ■>
William Stoughton Uuardians tol Robert 3 Montague.
Joseph Dudley j y' Sachem i William W. Ahowton
“ Kecorded 19. 3. 1G85
“ by Tho. Danforth Recorder.
“ A true copy of record Book 9 Pages 31-4 to 352 inclusive
“ Attest Cha8 B Stevens Reg.”
From lands thus allowed, the Plantation of Sud-
bury was formed. It required, however, more than
the allowance and laying out of the land and the
settlement of it to make it a town. A separate act of
incorporation was necessary to compiete the work.
This was done September 4, 1639, when the Court
ordered that “ the newe Plantation by Concord shall
be called Sudbury.’’ (Colony Records, Vol. 1, p.
271.)
The name ordered by the Court is that of an old
English town in the county of Suffolk, near the parish
of Bury St. Edmunds, at or near which place it is
supposed the Browns may have dwelt. It is not im-
probable that the name was given by Rev. Edmund
Brown, the first minister of Sudbury, who sold lands
in the district o’’ Lanham to Thomas Read, his
nephew, and who, it is supposed, may have also
named that locality from Lavenhani, Eng., a place
between Sudbury and Bury St. Edmunds. The place,
though spelled Lavenham, is pronounced Launam in
England (Waters). The proximity of Sudbury and
Lavenham, Eng., to what was probably the original
home of Mr. Browne, together with the fact that he
was an early owner of the lands at Lanham, and a
prominent man at the settlement, affords at least a
strong presumption that Mr. Edmund Browne named
I both Sudbury and Lanham.
The settlement of the town began on the east side
I of ihe river. The first road or street, beginning at
! Watertown (now Weston), extended along a course
of about two miles ; and by this the house-lots of
the settlers were laid out and their humble dwellings
' stood.
(i SUDBUllV.
Towx-MEETiN(fS. — Uutil as late as the nineteenth
century the town-meetings were held in the meeting-
house. After the meeting-house was built sometimes
they were held in a private house or at the “ordi-
nary.” As for example, Jan. 10, 1085, and again
Fel). 18, 1080, there was an adjournment of town-
meeting to the house of Mr. Walker, “ by reason of
the extremity of the cold.” In 1704 the town ad-
journed one of its meetings to the house of “ William
nice, innholder.” In 1782, “adjourned town-meet-
ing to the house of Mr. Aaron Johnson, innholder in
s'* town.” After the division of the town into the East
and West Precincts, the town-meetings alternated from
the east to the west side.
In 1082-83 the time of meeting was changed from
February to October, the day of the week to be Mon-
day.
The reason of this change may be found in the
fact that it was difficult at some seasons to make a
journey to the east side meeting-house; the passage
of the causeway was occasionally rough, and town
action might be thereby delayed or obstructed. The
meeting was for a period warned by the Board of
Selectmen. At the date of the change just mentioned,
it ‘was voted and ordered, that henceforth the select-
men every year for the time being shall appoint and
seasonably warn the town-meeting;” but afterwards
this became the work of the constables. In the
warning of town-meetings at one period, the “ Old
Eaucaster Road ” was made use of as a partial line
of division. A part of the constables were to warn
the people on the north side of the road, and a part
tin se on the south side.
The town-meeting was opened by prayer. There
is a record of this about 1654, and i)resumably it was
practiced from the very first. At an early date
voting was sometimes done by “ dividing the house,”
each party withdrawing to different sides of the
room. An example of this is as follows : In 1654, at
a public town-meeting, after “ the pastor by the de-
sire of the town had sought the Lord for his blessing
in the actings of the day, this following Aote w’as
made. You that judge the act of the selectmen in
sizing the Commons to be a righteous act, discover it
by drawing yourselves together in the one end of the
meeting-house.” After that was done, “ It w’as then
desired that those who are of a contrary mind wmuld
discover it by drawing themselves together in the
other end of the meeting-house.”
In these meetings, marked respect w'as usually had
for order and law. We find records of protest or
dissent when things w'ere done in an irregular way,
as for instance, in 1676, w'e have the following record:
“ We do hereby enter our Decent against the illegal
proceedings of the inhabitants of the town
for the said proceedings have Ben Directly Contrary
to law\ First, That the Town Clerk did not Solemnly
read the Laws against Intemperance and Immorality
as the Laws Require.” Mention is also made of
other irregularities, and to the paper is attached a
list of names of prominent persons.
The town officers were mostly similar to those
elected at the present time. At a meeting of the
town in 1682-83, it was ordered that the lown-meeting
“shall be for the electing of Selectmen, Commisdou-
ers and Town Clerk.” Names of officers not men-
tioned here were “Constables, Invoice Takers, High-
way Surveyors and Town Marshal.” .Vboiit 1648,
the persons chosen to conduct the affairs of the town
were first called selectmen. The number of these
officers varied at different times. In 1646 there were
seventeen selectm’en.
The service expected of the selectmen, beside
being custodians at large of the public good, and
acting as the town’s prudential committee, were,
before the appointment of tithingmen (which oc-
curred first in Sudbury, Jan. 18, 1679), expected to
look after the morals of the community. This is in-
dicated by the foliowdng order : At a meeting of the
inhabitants, Jan. 18, 1679, “ It is ordered, that the
selectmen shall visit the families of the town, and
speedily ius|)ect the same, but especially to examine
children and servants about*their improvement in
reading and the catechism. Captain Goodnow and
Lieutenant Haines to inspect all families at Lanbam
and Nobscot and all others about there and in their
way, . . . and these are to return an account of
that matter at the next meeting of the selectmen,
appointed to be on the 30th of this instant January.”
We infer from certain records that the selectmen’s
orders were to be audibly and deliberately read^ that
the people might take notice and observe them.
The officials known as “ highway surveyors” had
charge of repairs on town roads. This term was
early applied, and has continued in use until now.
As early in the records as 1639, Peter Noyes and John
Parrnenter are mentioned as surveyors.
The business of town clerk, or “dark,” which office
was first held in Sudbury by Hugh Griffin, is shown by
the following extracts from the town-book : “ He is to
take charge of the records and discharge the duties of
a faithful scribe.” “ To attend town-meeting, to write
town orders for one year, ... for which he was to
have ten shillings for his labor.” In 1643 he was “ to
take record of all births and marriages and [deaths],
and return them to the recorder.” “ It is a'so agreed
that the rate of eight pound 9 shillings [be] levied
upon mens estate for the payment of the town debt
due at the present, and to buy a constable’s staff, to
mend the stocks, and to buy a marking iron for the
town, and it shall be forthwith gathered by Hugh
Griffin, who is appointed by the town to receive rates,
and to pay the town’s debt.” (Town-Book, p. 75.)
Feb. 19, 1650, Hugh Griffin “ was released from the
service of the town.” The wmrk that he had to per-
form was “to attend town-meetings, to write town or-
ders, to comj>are town rates, to gather them in, and
pay them according to the town’s appointment, and to
The Dr. Stearn’s Place
'i£
STIDBTTUV.
sweep the meeting-house, for which he is to have fifty
shillings for his wages.”
Other officers were “commissioners of rates,” or
“invoice-takers.” These corresponded perhaps to
“ assessors,” which term we find used in the town-
book as early as the beginning of the eighteenth cen-
tury. The office of marshal was the same as that of
constable. There is the statement on page 34 “ that
there shall be a rate gathered of ten pounds for the
finishing of the meeting-house, to be raised upon
meadows and improved land, and all manner of cattle
above a quarter old to be prized as they were formerly
prized, the invoice to be taken by the marshall.”
At an early period persons were appointed for the
special purpose of hearing “ small causes.” In 1655,
“ Lieutenant Goodnow, Thomas Xoyes and Sergeant
Groute were chosen commissioners to hear, issue and
end small causes in Sudbury, according to law, not
exceeding forty shillings.” In 1648 Peter Noyes was
“ to see people ioyne in marriage in Sudbury.” (Colo-
nial Records, p. 97.)
In the early limes towns could send deputies to the
General Court according to the number of their in-
habitants. Those that had ten freemen and under
twenty, could send one; those having between twenty
and forty, not over two. (Palfrey’s History.)
We infer that if a person was elected to any town
office he was expected to serve. It is stated in the
records of 1730, that David Rice was chosen con-
stable, and “ being called up [by] the moderator for
to declare his exception, or non-exception, upon which
David Rice refused for to serve as constable, and paid
dovvn five pounds money to s'* towm, and so was dis-
charged.”
Having considered the nature of the towm-meeting,
the place where works of a public nature were dis-
cussed and decided upon, we will now' notice some of
the works themselves. First, Highways, the Cause-
way and Bridge.
Highivays. — In providing means for easy and
rapid transit, it was important for the tow'n to make
haste. Indian trails and the paths of wild animals
would not long suffice for their practical needs. Hay
was to be drawn from the meadows, and for this a
road was to be made. Another was to be made to
Concord, and paths were to be opened to the outlying
lands. The first highway w'ork was done on the prin-
cipal street, which was doubtless at first but a mere
wood-path or trail. An early rule for this labor, as it
is recorded on the Town Records, Feb. 20, 1689, is as
follows : “ Ordered by the commissioners of the town,
that every inhabitant shall come forth to the mend-
ing of the highway upon a summons by the survey-
ors,” In case of failure, five shillings w'ere to be for-
feited for every default. The amount of labor re-
quired was as follows :
“ 1st. The poorest man shall work one day.
“ 2nd. For every six acres of meadow land a man
hath he shall work one day..
“3d. Every man who sliall neglect t> make all
fences appertaining to his fields by the 24th of Ajiril
shall forfeit five shillings (Nov. 19th, 1639).”
Highways and cart-paths were laid out on both
sides of the meadows at an early date. The town
records make mention of a highway “ from below the
upland of the meadow from the house-lot of Walter
Haynes to the meadow of John Goodnow, which
shall be four rods wide where it is not previou-ly
bounded already, and from the meadow of John
Goodnow to the end of the town bound.” Also of a
highway on the w'est side of the river, “between the
upland and the meadow six rods wide frtirn one end
of the meadow' to the other.” These road.s, w'e con-
jecture, have not entirely disappeared. On either
side the meadow margin, a hay-road, or “right of
way,” .still exists. It is probable that the town way
called “ Water Row ” may have been a part of those
early roads.
Beidges. — In the work of bridge-bnilding Sudbury
has had fully its share from the first. Its original
territory being divided by a wide, circuitous stream,
which was subject to spring and fall floods, it ivas a
matter of no small importance to the settlers to have
a safe crossing. Ford-ways, on a river like this, were
uncertain means of transit. Without a bridge the
east and west side inhabitants might be separated
sometimes for weeks, and travellers to the frontier be-
yond w'ould be much hindered on their way. All this
the people well knew', and they w'tre early astir to
the w'ork. Tw'o bridges are mentioned in the tow'n-
book as early as 1641. -The record of one is as fol-
low's: “It was ordered from the beginning of the
plantation, that there should be tw'o rods wide left in
the meadow' from the bridge at Muuning’s Point to
the hard upland at the head of Edmund Rice’s
meadow.” The other record is of the same date, and
states that there w'as to be a road “betw'een the river
meadow' and the house-lot from the bridge at John
Blandford’s to Bridle Point.” The bridge referred to
in the former of these records may have been the
“ Old Indian Bridge,” which is repeatedly mentioned
in the town-book. From statements on the records
we conclude it crossed the low'er part of Lanham
Brook — sometimes also called "West Brook — ataptiint
between Sand Hill and Heard’s Pond. This bridge
was probably i'ound there by the settlers, and may have
been nothing more than a fallen tree where but one per-
son could pass at a time. It doubtless was of little use
to the settlers, and may only have served them as a
landmark or to designate a fording-j)lace where at
low' w'ater a person could go on foot. The bridge re-
ferred to in the latter record w'as probably the first
one built by the English in Sudbury. It was doubt-
less situated at the locality since occupied by suc-
cessive bridges, each of which was known as the “ Old
Town Bridge.” The present one is called the Rus-
sell Bridge, after the name of the builder. The loca-
tion is in Wayland, at the east end of the old cause-
8
SUDHUIIY.
way, near the house of Mr. William Baldwin. The
first bridge at this place was j)robably a simple con-
trivance for foot-passengers only, and one which
would cause little loss if swept away by a flood. The
reason why this spot was selected as a crossing may
be indicated by the lay of the land and the course of
the river; at this point the stream winds so near the
bank of the hard upland, that a causeway on the eastern
side is unnecessary. These natural features doubtless
led to the construction of the bridge at that particular
spot, and the location of the bridge determined the
course of the road. About the time of the erection of
the first bridge a ferry is s})okenof. In 1642 Thomas
Noyes was “appointed to keep a ferry for one year,
for which he was to have two pence for every
single pass nger, and if there be more to take two
apiece.” This ferry may have been used only at
times, when high water rendered the bridge or meadow
impassable. As in the price fixed for transportation
only “ passengers ’’ are mentioned, we infer that both
the bridge and ferry were for foot-passengers alone.
But a mere foot-path could not long suffice for the
settlement. The west side was too important to re-
main isolated for want of a cart-bridge. About this
time it was ordered by the town, “That Mr. Noyes,
IMr. Pendleton, Walter Haynes, John Parmenter, Jr.,
and Thomas King shall have power to view the river
at Thomas King’s, and to agree with workmen to
build a cart-bridge over the river according as they
shall see just occasion.” The following contract was
soon made with Ambrose Leach :
“BIUDGE COXTU.\OT 1043.
“ It is agreed betwpene the iniiabitants of the towne of siulbury aiul
Ambrose Leech, Tliat the towne will give unto the said Ambrose C acres
ill Mr Pendleton's 2“'* Addition of meadow w«b slmll run on the north
side of liis meadow lyinge on the west side of the river, & shall run from
the river to the uphiiid. Allsoe foure acres of meadowe iiioie well shall
be will convenient as may be. Allsoe twenty acres of upland lyinge on
the west side of the river on the north side of the lande of Walter
Haynes if lie approve of it else so much uifland where it maj’ be conve-
nient. For and in consideration whereof the said Ambrose dotli pro-
pose to build a sulbcient cart bridge over the river thr^e feet above high
water mark, twelve foot wyde from the one side of the river to the other,
provided that the towne doe fell and cross cutt the timber and sfiw all
the plank and carry it all to place, and when it is ready framed the
towne doth promise to help him raise it, so that he and one man be at
the charge of the sayd Ambrose, and he doth promise to accomplish the
work by the last day of Ang. next. Allsoe tlie towne doth admitt of
liim as a townsman wth right to comonage and upland as more shall be
laid out and uilsoc ten acres of meadowe to be layed out which other
meadowe is in hi'st addition of iiieadovve.
“Ambrose Leech,
*“ Brian Pendleton,
Walter Haynes.”
The next contract for building a bridge was with
Timothy Hawkins, of Watertown, and is as follows:
“ The 2bth day of November, IG**.
, “Agreed between the Inhabitants of Sudbury on the one part, and
Timothy Hawkins, of Watertown, on the other part that the said Tim-
othy shall build a sufllcient cart bridge over the river, beginning at the
west side of the river, running across the river, five rods longand twelve
feet wide, one foot above high water mark, the arches to be . , . foot
wide, all but the middle arch, which is to be 14 feet wide, the silts —
inches square 2G feet long, the posts IG inches square the cups and
IG, the braces 8 inches square, the bridge must have a rail on each side,
and the rails must be bneed at every post, the plank must be two inches
thick sawn, there inubt lie 5 braces for the plank, — the bridge tho
bearers 12 inches square, the bridge is by him to be ready to raise by tlie
last day of ^lay next. For which work the Inhahitaiits do consent to
pay unto the said Timothy f-»r his work so done, the sum of FI lumnds to
be paid in corn and cattle, the corn at the general price of the country,
and tho cattle at the price as two men shall judge them worth.
“ The said Timothy is to fell all the timber and saw it, and then the
town is to carry it to the place.”
Causeway. — Westerly beyond the bridge was built
a raised road or causeway, which was sometimes called
the “Casey” or “ Carsey.” This is a memorable
piece of highway. Repeatedly has it been raised to
place it above the floods. At one time the work was
apportioned by lot, and at another the Legislature
allowed the town to issue tickets for a grand lottery,
the avails of which were to be expended upon this
causeway.
Stakes were formerly set as safeguards to the trav-
eller, that he might not stray from the way.
Chukch. — The town being laid out, and the nec-
essary means for securing a livelihood provided, the
people turned their attention to ecclesiastical matters.
The church was of paramount importance to the early
New England inhabitants. For its privileges they
had in part embarked for these far-off shores. To
preserve its purity they became pilgrims on earth,
exiles from friends and their native laud. Borne
hither with such noble desires, we have evidence that
when they arrived they acted in accordance with
them. In 1640 a church was organized, which was
Congregational in government and Calvinistic in creed
or faith. A coi)y of its covenant is still preserved.
The church called to its pastorate Rev. Edmund
Brown, and elected Mr. William Brown deacon. It is
supposed that the installation of Rev. Edmund Browu
was at the time of the formation of the church. The
town in selecting Mr. Brown for its minister secured
I the services of an energetic and devoted man. Ed-
ward Johnson says of him, iu his “ Wonder-Working
Providence :” “The church in Sudbury called to the
office of a pastor the reverend, godly and able ministtr
of the word, Mr. Edmund Brown, whose labors in the
doctrine of Christ Jesus hath hitherto ahouuded
wading through this wilderness work with much
cheerfulness of sp'rit.”
The home of Mr. Brown was in the territory of
Waylaiid, by the south bank of Mill Brook, on what
was called “ Timber Neck.” Mr. Brown’s salary the
first year was to he £40, one-half to he jtaid in money,
the other half iu some or all of these commodities:
“ Wheate, pees, butter, cheese, porke, beefe, hemp
and flax, at every quarters end.” In the maintenance
of the pastor and church the town acted as in secular
matters. The church was for the town ; its records
were for a time town records. Civil and ecclesiastical
matters were connected. If there was no state church,
there was a town church, a minister and meeting-
house, that was reached by and reached the massp.«.
“ Rates ” were gathered no more surely for the “ king’s
tax ’’than to maintain the ministry. To show the
IP T
SUDBUliY
y
manner of raising the money for the minister’s salary
shortly after his settlement, we insert the following:
“ The first day of the second month, 1643. It is agreed
upon by the town that the Pastor shall [have] for this
year, beginning the first day of the first month, thirty
pound, to be gathered by rate and to be paid unto
him at two several payments, the first payment to be
made one month after midsummer, the other payment
to be made one month after Michaelmas, for the gath-
ering of which the town hath desired Mr. Pendleton
and Walter Hayne to undertake it, and also the town
hath discharged the pastor from all rates, for this year,
and the rate to be levied according to the rate which
was for the meeting-house, the invoice being
taken by John Freeman.” Of the prosperity of this
little church, Johnson says, in his “ Wonder-Work-
ing Providence : ” “This church hath hitherto been
blessed with blessings of the right hand, even godly
peace and unity ; they are not above fifty or sixty
families and about eighty souls in church fellowship,
their Neat head about 300.”
A meeting-hoUse was built in 1642-43 by John Rut-
ter. It was situated in what is now the old burying-
ground in Wayland.
Land Divisions. — The settlers had little more
than got fairly located at the plantation, when they
began dividing their territory, and apportioning it in
parcels to the inhabitants. Before these divisions
were made there w’ere no private estates, except such
house-lots and few acres as were assigned at the out-
set for the settler’s encouragement or help, or such
land tracts as were obtained by special grant from the
Colonial Court. But divisions soon came. Piece
after piece was apportioned, and passed into private
possession. Soon but little of the public domain was
left, save small patches at the junction of roads, or
some reservation for a school-house, meeting-house or
pound, or plot for the village green.
From common land, which the undivided territory
was called, has come the word “common ” as applied
to a town common, park or public square. And from
the division of land by lot, the term “ lot” has come
into use, as “ meadow-lot,” “ wood-lot,” and “ house-
lot.” The early land divisions were made, on per-
mission of the Colonial Court, by such commissioners
as the town or court might appoint.
Three divisions of meadow-land had been made by
1640. A record of these has been preserved, and the
following are the preambles of two of them ;
“ A record of the names of the Inhabitants of Sudbury, with their
several quantity of meadow to every one granted according to their es-
tates or granted by gratulation for services granted by them, which
meadow is ratable upon all common charges.”
“It is ordered that all the inhabitants of this town shall have ^ of
their total meadows laid out this present year, viz. : the first divided ac-
cording to discretion, and the second by lot.”
Not only the meadows but the uplands were par-
celed out and apportioned, some for public use, some
to the early grantees and some to individuals in re-
turn for value or service.
2
In 1642 an addition of upland was made “ in acres
according to the 1st and 2ond divisions of meadows
granted unto them by the rule of their estate ; and
Peter Noyes, Bryan Pendleton, George Munuings,
Edmund Rice and Edmund Goodenovv were to have
power to lay out the 3d division at their discretion.”
While the early land divisions were being made,
reservations were also made of lands for pasturage,
which it was understood were to remain undivided.
These lands were called “ Cow Commons,” and the
record of them explains their use. The first was laid
out or set apart the 26th of November, 1643, and was
on the east side of the river.
The cow common on the west side was reserved in
1647, and is thus described in the Town Book :
“It is ordered by the town that there shall be a cow common laid out
on the west side of the river to remain in perpetuity, with all the up-
land within these bounds, that is to say, all the uplaud that lies within
the bound that goes from Bridle point through Hopp meadow*, and so to
the west line, in the meadow of Walter Hayne, and all the upland with-
in the gulf and the pantre brook to the upper end of the meadow of Rob-
ert Darnill, and from thence to the west line, as it shall be bounded by
some men appointed by the town, except it be such lands as are due to
men already, and shall be laid out accox'ding to the time appointed by
the tow’n. Walter Hayne and John Groute are appointed to bound the
common, from Goodman DarniU’s meadow to the west line.”
The territory which was comprised in this common
may be outlined, very nearly, by the Massachusetts
Central Railroad on the south, the Old Colony Rail-
road on the west, Pantry Brook on the north, and the
river on the east. It will be noticed that these two
commons included most of the hilly portions of the
town, on both sides of the river; and it was doubtless
the design of the settlers to reserve for common pas-
turage these lands, because less adapted to easy cul-
tivation. But in process of time they ceased to be
held in reserve. More or less controversy subse-
quently arose about what was known as “sizing the
commons,” and by the early part of the next century
they were all divided up and apportioned to the in-
habitants; and now over the broad acres of these
ancient public domains are scattered pleasant home-
steads and fertile farms, and a large portion of three
considerable villages, namely, Sudbury, South Sud-
bury and Wayland Centre.
Besides the reservation of territory for common pas-
turage, lands were laid out “ for the use of the minis-
try.” Two such tracts were laid out on each side of
the river, consisting of both meadow and upland,
which were let out to individuals, the income derived
therefrom going towards the minister’s salary. The
lands that were situated on the west side have passed
from public to private possession, being sold in 1817
for $3200.98.
Between 1650 and 1675 the west side had rapid de-
velopment. Prior to the beginning of this period the
pioneer spirit of the settlers had led to a thorough
exploration of this part of the town, and they had lo-
cated by its hills and along its meadows and valleys,
as if undaunted by distance from the meeting-house
10
SlIUDBRY.
and mill, and indifferent to the perils of the wilder-
ness. But although there was, to an extent, an occu-
pation of the west part of the town from the very be-
ginning of the settlement, yet the greater activity was
for a time on the east side ; in that part was the cen-
tralization of people, and things were more conven-
ient and safe. Indeed, the settlers for a season may
have regarded the west side as a wilderness country,
destined long to remain in an unbroken state. The
view westward from certain points along the first
street was upon woody peaks and rocky hillsides.
Beyond the valley of Lanham and Ivowance towered
Nobscot; its slope, thickly covered with forest, might
look like an inhosj)itable waste; while the nearer
eminence of Goodman’s Hill, with its rough, rocky
j)r<ijections, may liave had a broken and desolate as-
pect. It is no wonder, then, that in the earlier years
of the settlement we read of so many corn-fields on
the east side of the river, and find parties desirous of
obtaining new farms seeking them in a southerly
rather than a westerly direction. But when absolute
wants were once met, and things essential to existence
were provided ; when the settlers had acquired a bet-
ter knowledge of the country and of the character of
its native inhabitants, and a substantial causeway
was made, — then began a greater development of the
west part of the town.
The indications are that these things were accom-
plished about the year 1650. At this time we begin
to notice the mention of homesteads on the west side,
and the construction of works for public convenience.
The lands first occupied, probably, were those near
I.anham and Pantry, and along the meadows by the
river course; while the more central portion, called,
“Rocky Plain,” was not taken till somewhat later.
This is indicated, not only by the known locations of
early homesteads, but by the locality of the west side
cow common. These sections may have been first
taken on account of the abundance of meadow land,
and the existence of roads which had been made for
the transportation of hay.
A prominent person who early located there was
Walter Haynes. He had a house by the meadow
margin, which, in 1676, was used as a garrison, and
which early in town history was called “ Mr. Haynes’
old house.” In 1646 he was granted liberty to run a
fence “from his meadow, which lies on the west side
of the river, across the highway to his fence of his
upland at his new dwelling-house, provided that
Walter Hayne do keep a gate at each side of his
meadow for the passing of carts and the herds along
the highway that his fence may not be prejudicial to
the town.” Bath record and tradition indicate that
John and Edmund Goodenow early' had lands near
the Gravel Pit, and also at or near the present Farr
and Cooli'lge farms. By' 1659, Thomas Noyes and
Thomas Plympton had established houses on the
west side, — the former on lands at Hop Brook, and
the latter at Strawberry Bank. As early at least as
1654, Thomas Read was at Lanham ; and by 1659
Peter Bent was there also.
Some public acts which indicate activity on the
west side, as set forth by' the records, are as follows :
In 1654 it was ordered that Walter Hayne and John
Stone “ shall see to the fences of all the corn-fields
on their side the river;” and in 1659 a committee
was appointed to look after the highways there. The
mention of bridges by 1641, the ferry of Mr. Noyes
in 1642, and the contract for a cart-bridge in 1643,
are all indications of early activity in the west part of
the town. But the more important matters of a pub-
lic nature were in connection with the laying out of
new lands, the construction of important roads, and
the- erection of a mill.
Laying Out of New Lands. — In 1651, John
Sherman and others were appointed to lay out the
“ New Grant Lands.” After some delay the plan
was adopted of dividing it into squadrons, the ar-
rangement of which was as follows : “ The south east
was to be the first, the north east the second, the north
west the third, and the south west the fourth.” It
was voted there should be a highway extending north
and south, “ 30 rods wide in the new grant joining
to the five miles first granted;” also, “ Voted that
there should be a highway 30 rods wide, from south
to north, parallel with the other said highway in the
middle of the remaining tract of land.”
These squadrons w'ere subdivided into parcels of
equal size, each containing one hundred and thirty
acres, and were apportioned to the people by lot. It
was voted that “ the first lot drawn was to begin at
the south side of the first squadron running east and
west betwixt our highways ; the second lot to be in
the north side of the first, and so every lot following
successively as they are drawn till we come to Con-
cord line and so the first and second squadron.”
This land, laid out so regularly, w’as good property.
Some of the most substantial homesteads of the town
have been, and still are, upon it. Persons by the
name of Howe, Parmenter, Woodward, Moore,
Browne, Walker, Noyes, Balcom, and Rice, of the
older inhabitants, and, later, of Fairbanks, Stone,
AVillis, Smith, Hayden, Maynard, Perry, Bow'ker,
Vose, Brigham, and others,— all had residences there.
The possession of this new grant territory, and its
early apportionment, would serve naturally to keep
the people in town. It opened new resources to the
settlers by its timber lands ; and the circuitous course
of Wash Brook gave meadows and mill privileges
which the people were not slow' to improve. Prob-
ably the earlier settlers of this tract went from the
east side of the river as into a new country or wil-
derness. There they erected garrisons ; and that
there were in this territory at least three of these
houses indicates the exposed condition of the place
at the time of its early occupation by the English.
“ Willis,” the largest pond in town, a part of “ Nob-
scot,” the highest hill, and the most extensive tim-
THE BROWN GARRISON HOUSE.
1
SUDBURY.
11
ber tracts, are in this new grant. In it have been lo-
cated no less than five saw or g.-ist-mills. From this
territory was taken part of the town of Maynard, and
in it were located for years two out of five of the old-
time district school-houses. The Wayside Inn and
the Walker Garrison are still there ; and although
the stirring scenes of the old stage period, which gave
liveliness to the one, and the dismal war days, which
gave importance to the other, have passed away, yet
there remains a thrift and prosperity about the sub-
stantial farms of the ancient new grant lots that
make this locality one of importance and interest.
The Thirty-Rod Highway. —While these new
lands proved so beneficial to the town, the ‘‘ Thirty-
Rod Highway” in time caused considerable trouble.
Ii was laid out for the accommodation of the owners
of lots, and, as the name indicates, was thirty rods
wide. The unnecessary width may be accounted for
as we account for other wide roads of that day: land
w as plentiful, and the timber of so large a tract would
be serviceable to the town.
Bat the width tended to cause disturbance. The
land was sought for by various parties, — by abuttors
on one or both sides, it may be; by those dwelling
within the near neighborhood ; and by such as de-
sired it for an addition to their outlying lands, or a
convenient annex to their farms. The result was that
to protect it required considerable vigilance. En-
croachments were made upon it, wood and timber were
taken away, and at successive town-meetings what to
do with this Thirty-Rod Highway was an important
matter of business. But at length it largely ceased
to be public property. Piece after piece had been
disposed of. Some of it had been purchased by pri-
vate parties, some of it exchanged for lands used for
other highways, and some of it may have been gained
by right of possession.
But though so much of this road has ceased to be
used by the public, there are parts still retained by
the town and open to public use. The Dudley Road,
about a quarter of a mile from the William Stone
place, and which passes a small pond called the
Horse Pond, tradition says, is a part of this way.
From near the junction of this with the county road,
a part of the Thirty-Rod Way runs south, and is still
used as a way to Nobscot. On it, tradition also says,
is the Small-Pox Buryiug-Ground, at Nobscot. A
part of this road, as it runs east and west, is probably
the present Boston and Berlin Road, or what was the
“ Old Lancaster Road.” Other parts of this way
may be old wood-paths that the Sudbury farmers still
use and speak of as being a part of this ancient land-
murk.
“ Old Lancaster Road.” — This road, which was
at first called the “Road'to Nashuway,” probably fol-
lowed an ancient trail. In 1653 it was “ agreed by
the town that Lieutenant Goodenow and Ensign
Noyes shall lay out the way with Nashuway men so
far as it goes within our town bound.” A record of
this road is on the town-book, and just following is
this statement :
“This is a true copy of the commissioners appointed by the town taken
from the original and examined by me.
“Hugh Griffin.”
This record which is among those for 1616, by the
lapse of time has become so worn that parts are en-
tirely gone. It is supposed, however, that some of
the lost parts have been restored or supplied by the
late Dr. Stearns. We will give the record, so far as
it can be obtained from the town-book, and insert in
brackets the words that have been supplied from other
sources :
” We whose names are hereunto subscribed appoint[ed by] Sudbury
and the town of Lancaster to lay out the Uigh[way over the] river mea-
dow in Sudbury near Lancaster to the [town] bound according to the
Court order, have agreed as follows [viz] That the highway beginning
at the great river meadow [at the gravel] pitt shall run from thence
[to the northwest side of] Thom is Plyinpton’s bouse, [and from thence]
to timber 8wa[mpa8] marked by us and so on to Hart Pond leaving
the [rock] on the north side of the way and from thence to the ex-
treme [Sudbury bounds] as we have now marked it the breadth of the
way is to be the gravel pitt to the west end of Thomas Plymptou’s
lot and . . . rods wide all the way to the utmost of Sudbury bound
and thence upon the common highway towards Lancaster through
Sud[bury] therefore we have hereunto set our hand the 22“'^ day of
this pres[ent mouth]
** Edmund Goodenow
Date 1653 “ Thomas Noyf^
“William Kerley”
This road has for many years been a landmark in
Sudbury ; but the oldest inhabitant cannot remember
when, in its entire length, it was used as a highway.
Parts of it were long since discontinued, and were
either sold or reverted to the estates of former owners.
The Hop-Brook Mill. — In 1659 a mill was put
up where the present Parmenter Mill stands in South
Sudbury. This mill was erected by Thomas and
Peter Noyes. In recognition of the serviceableness
of their work to the community, the town made them
a land grant, and favored them with such privileges
as are set forth in the following record :
“Jan. 1659. Granted unto Mr. Thomas Noyes ami to Peter
Noyes for and in consideration of building a mill at Hop brook lay-
ing and being on the west side of Sudbury great river below the cart
way that leads to Ridge meadow viz: fifty acres of upland and fif-
teen acres of meadow without commonadge to the said meadow four
acres of the said fifteen acres of meadow lying and being within the
demised tracts of uplands ; Also granted to the above named parties
timber of any of Sudbury's common land, to build and maintain the
said mill. Also the said Thomas and Peter Noyes do covenant with
the town for the foregoing consideration, to build a sufficient mill to
grind the town of Sudbury’s corn ; the mill to be built below the
cart way that now is leading to Ridge meadow, the said Grantees,
their heirs and successors are to have nothing to do with the stream
above four rods above the aforementioned cartway of said mill to be
ready to grind the corn by the first of December next ensueing, and
if the said grantees, their heirs or assigns shall damage the high-
way over the brook, by building the said mill, they are to make the
way as good as now it is, from time to time, that is to say, the above
specified way, over the Mill brook of said Thomas Noyes and Peter
are also to leave a highway six rods wide joining to the brook
from the east way that now is to the Widow Loker’s meadow.” (Town
Records, vol, i.)
While the new mill was being built, a way was
being made to it from the causeway, as we are in-
12
SUDBURY.
formed by the following record, dated February 7,
1659:
“We, the Selectmen of Sudbury, finding sundry inconveniences, by
reason of bad and ill )ngh^^ays not being passable to meadow-lunds
and other towns, and finding the law doth commit the stating of
the highways to the prudence of the selectmen of towns, we therefore,
being met the day and year above written, on purpose to view the
highways in the west side of tfudbury river, and having taken pains
to view them, do we f-ay, ctnthide and jointly agree that the high-
way from the Gravel pits shall go through the land new ly purchased
of Lieut. Goodenow to that end, and from thence down the brow of
the hill the now passed highway, unto the place where the new mil^
is building, that is to say, the way that is now in occupation, we
mean the way that goeih to the south and ^Ir. Beisbeich his bouse,
we conclude and jointly agree, that the way to the meadows, as
namely, the meadow' of John Grout, Widow Goodenow, John May-
nard, Lieut. Goodenow, shall go as now it doth, that is to say, in the
hollow to the said meadows, the liighway to bo six rods wide all
along by the side of the said meadows.”
In 1652 a contract was made for a new house of
worship. This contract is on the Town Records, but
has become considerably won) and defaced, so that
parts are almost or quite unintelligible. There is,
however, a copy in the “Steams Collection,” which,
with some slight immaterial alterations, is as follows:
“ The town agreed with Thomas Plympton Peter King & Hugh Griffin
to build a new meeting house which was to be forty feet long «fe twenty
feet w ide measuring from outside to outside, the studds were to lie 6
inches by 4 to stand for a four foot clapboard. There were to be 4 tran-
som windows five feet w ide &. C feet high, and in each gable end a clear-
story window’, each window was to be 4 feet wide and 3 feet high. There
were to bo sufficient doiments across the house for galleries if there
should afterw ard be a desire for galleries the beams to be 12 inches by
14 and the ground sills were to be of w bite oak 8 inches square. The
posts were to be a foot square, and the 2 middle beams to be smoothed
on three sides and the low er corners to be run w ith a hotekeU. They the
said Plympton King & Griffin are to find timber to fell, hew, saw, cart^
frame, carry to place & they are to level the ground and to find them
sufficient help to raise the house, they are to inclose the house w ith
clap boards and to lyiie the inside with cedar boards or otherwise with
good spruce boards, c't to be smoothed & over lapped and to be lyned up
the windows, & they are to hang tiie doors so as to bolt. One of the
doors on the inside is to be sett with a lock. They are to lay the sleep
ers of the doors w ith w bite oak or good swamp pine, & to floor the house
w ith plank. They are to finish all the works but the seats, for which
the town do covenant to give them ... 5 pound 20 to be paid in
march next in Indian [corn] or cattle, 30 more to be paid in Sep’ next
to be paid in w heat, butter, or money & the rest to bo paid as soon as
the work is done in Indyan corn or cattle the corn to [be] merchantable
at the price current.
“Witness Edmi), Goodnow.
“ Thomas Koyes.”
The new building was to be erected on the site of
the old one. The town ordered “ that the car-
penters should provide 12 men to help them raise the
meeting house,” for which they were to be allowed
half a crown a day. The roof was to be covered with
thatch, and the workmen were to have “ the meadow
afterwards the minister’s to get their thatch upon.”
In 1654 a committee was appointed “ to agree with
somebody to fill the walls of the meeting house with
tempered clay firovided they do not exceed the sum
of 5 pounds 10 shillings.” The parties who were to
build the house were employed “ to build seats after
the same fashion as in the old meeting house.” and
they were to have for every seat one shilling eight
pence. The seats were to be made of white oak,
“ both posts and rails and benches.”
But while the town was growing and increasing in
strength, a controversy occurred which was of a
somewhat serious character. Questions arose relat-
ing to the division of the “ two-mile grant,” to the
title of parlies to certain lands, and to rights in the
east side cow common. The controversy concerning
this latter subject wjis in relation to “sizing” or
“stinting” the common. It was specified when this
laud was reserved, that it “should never be ceded or
laid down, without the consent of every inhabitant
and townsman that hath right in commonage;” and
the rule for pasturing cattle upon it was, “The in-
habitants are to be limited in the putting in of cattle
upon the said common, according to the quantity of
meadow the said inhabitants are rated in upon the
division of the meadows.” The rule of allowance on
this basis was as follows: “For eveiy two acres of
meadow one beast, that is either cow, ox, bull or steer,
or heifer to go as one beast and a half, and every six
sheep to go for one beast, and that all cattle under a
year old shall go without sizing.’’ The endeavor to
define rights of commonage, or the relation of the in-
dividual to this piece of town property, proved a
difficult task. As might be expected among a people
of positive natures, strong opinions were entertained,
and decided attitudes were taken concerning a matter
of individual rights. The affair was not wholly con-
fined to the town in its social and civil relations, but
the church became connected with it. The result
was that a council was called to adjust ecclesiastical
matters, and advice was also sought and obtained of
the General Court.
In 1675 King Philip’s War set in ; and Sudbury, on
account of its troutier position, was badly harassed
by the enemy. The principal means of defence in
this war were the garrison-houses. Of these places
we give the following information :
The Brown Garrison. — This stood on the pres-
ent estate of Luther Cutting, about a dozen rods
southeasterly of his residence, or a few rods east of
the Sudbury and Framingham road, and about a half
mile from the town’s southern boundary. I: had a
gable roof, was made of wood, and lined with brick.
It was demolished about thirty-five years ago, when
in the possession of Mr. Conant.
The Walker Garrison. — The Walker garrison-
house is in the west part of the town, a little south of
the Massachusetts Central Railroad, on the Willard
Walker estate. This building is a curious structure,
with massive chimney, large rooms and heavy frame-
work. It is lined within the walls with upright
plank fastened with wooden pins.
The Goodnow Garrison. — This garrison stood a
little .southeasterly of the present Cool idge house, or
a few rods northeast to east of the East Sudbury
Railroad Station, and perhaps twenty or thirty rods
from the South Sudbury and Wayland highway. A
lane formerly went from the road to a point near the
garrison.
THE PARMENTER GARRISON HOUSE.
See page 13.
SUDBURY.
The Haynes Garrison. — This garrison stood on
the Water-Row Road, by tlie margin of the river
meadow, a little northerly or northeasterly of the
Luther Goodenow house. It was about an eighth of
a mile from the Wayland and Sudbury Centre high-
way, two or three rods from the road, and fronted
south. In later years it was painted red. In 1876 it
was still standing, but has since been demolished.
One of the buildings which common tradition says
was a garrison, but whose name is unknown, stood
near the Adam How' place, about twenty-five rods
northwest of the house. It was one story high, and
had a room at each end. For a time it was owned
and occupied by Abel Parraenter, and was torn down
years ago. It is stated by tradition that, when the
Wayside Inn was built, the workmen repaired to this
house at night for safety.
The garrisons previously mentioned were named
from their early occupants. Parmenter was the name
of the first occupant of this house of whom we have
any knowledge ; if he was the first, then doubtless
this house was formerly known as the Parmenter
Garrison.
The other garrison, the name of which is unknown,
was north of the Gulf Meadows, and on or near the
present Dwier Farm (Bent place). Tradition con-
cerning this one is less positive than concerning the
other. An old inhabitant, once pointing towards the
old Bent house, said, “ There is where the people
used to go w'hen the Indians were about.” It is quite
evident that the Bent house was not a garrison, for
that was built about a century ago; but across the
road southwesterly there are indications that some
structure once stood, which may have been a garri-
son.
The Block-Hotjse. — A block-house stood in the
north part of the town, on the Israel Haynes farm.
It was situated, perhaps, from thirty to fifty rods
southwest of the house of I^eander Haynes, on a
slight rise of ground. It was small, perhaps fifteen
feet square, more or less, and so strongly builc that it
was with difficulty taken to pieces. It was demol-
ished about three-quarters of a century ago, when
owned by Mr. Moses Haynes. Mr. Reuben Rice, of
Concord, a relative of Mr. Haynes, when over ninety
years of age, informed the writer that when it was
torn down he chanced to be passing by, and looked '
for bullet-marks, and believed he found some. He
stated there was no mistake about the house being
used as a garrison.
Besides the garrison-houses, the town had a small
force of militia. Says “The Old Petition:” “The
strength of Our towne upon y' Enemy’s approaching
it, consisted of eighty fighting men.” These men
w'ere able-bodied and strong for the work of war,
liable to do duty for either country or town; while
others, younger and less vigorous, could stand guard
and do some light service. When the war was fairly
begun, the town’s force was replenished by outside
help. So that, with the people collected in garrisons,
and the armed men able to fight in a sheltered place,
a stout defence could be maintained against a con-
siderably larger force.
At the beginning of the war the town of Sudbury
was not attacked, as the Indians chiefly confined hos-
tilities to the county of Plymouth, yet it was soon
called upon to send aid to other places. November
22, 1675, a warrant came from Major Willard to John
Grout, Josiah Haynes and Edmund Goodnow, who
called themselves the “humble servants the militia
of Sudbury,” requiring the impressment of nine able
men to the service of the country. They state to the
Governor and Council that they have impressed the
following men, namely : William Wade, Samuel Bush,
John White, Jr., Thomas Rutter, Peter Noyes, Jr.,
James Smith, Dennis Headly, Mathew Gibbs, Jr.,
and Daniel Harrington; but that they wish to have
them released. Joseph Graves, master of Harring-
ton, states that his servant had not clothing fit for the
service; that he was well clothed when he was im-
pressed before, but that he wore his clothes out in
that service, and could not get his wages to buy more.
The service that he was formerly impressed for was
the guarding of families in “Natick Bounds.” One
of those families is supposed to be that of Thomas
Eames, which was attacked by the Indians near the
outbreak of the war. A further reason for their re-
lease from this service is found in the following ex-
tracts from their petition : “Considering our condition
as a frontier town, and several of our men being al-
ready in the service, our town being very much scat-
tered;” furthermore, that, several families being
sickly, no use could be made of them for “watching,
w^arding, scouting or impress, whereby the burden
lies very hard on a few persons.”
It was not long after hostilities began before the
foe approached Sudbury. The first blow that fell on
the town that has been noted by historians of that
day was on March 10, 1676. Says Mather, “Mischief
was done and several lives cut off by the Indians.”
While the prospect was thus threatening, the design
of the Indians for a season was effectually stayed, and
a disastrous invasion prevented by a bold move made
by the inhabitants of the town. The event referred
to occurred March 27, 1676. A force of savages, near
three hundred in number, were within about a half
mile of Sudbury’s western boundary. The force was
led by Netus, the Nipmuck captain. This band was
intent on mischief. It was on the trail for prey.
Flushed with the expectation of easy victory, they
waited the dawn of day to begin their foul work, and
seize such persons and spoil as were found outside the
garrisons. On Sabbath night they made their en-
campment within half a mile of a garrison. Their
mischievous course through the previous day had
been so little opposed that they felt secure as if in a
world of peace. But the English were on their track.
Intell’genceoftheir presence at Marlboro’ had reached
14
SUDBURY,
Sudbury, and a movement was made to oppose them.
A score of bold citizens set forth for the beleaguered
place. On their arrival at Marlboro’ they were rein-
forced by twenty soldiers, who were taken from the
garrisons, and the two forces went in search of the
enemy. Before daybreak they discovered them asleep
about their fires. The English, in night’s stillness,
crept close upon the camp. Wrapped in slumber,
and unsuspicious of what was so near, the Indians
were suddenly startled by a destructive volley from
an unexpected foe. The English took them by com-
plete surprise. So effectually had they directed their
fire that the Indians speedily fled. About thirty of
their number were wounded, of whom it is said four-
teen afterwards died. Not only were the Indians
numerically weakened, but demoralized somewhat by
such a bold and unlooked-for assanlt. Probably this
act saved Sudbury for a time. Netus was slain, and
for nearly a month there w as a cessation of hostilities
within and about the town.
That Sudbury people in this affair acted not simply
in their own defence is implied in “ The Old Peti-
tion,” in which it is stated that “ the Indians in their
disastrous invasions were resolved by our mine to re-
venge y' reliefe which our Sudbury volunteers ap-
proached to distressed Marlborough, in slaying many
of y' enemy & repelling y' rest.”
Attack on the Toavn hy King Philip. — Al-
though this sudden assault on the savages may have
checked their course for a time, the)’ soon rallied for
further mischief. In the following April a large
force, headed by Philip in person, started for Sudbury.
At the time of the invasion there was nothing west of
Sudbury to obstruct his course. The last town was
Marlboro’, and this was devastated as by a close gleaner
in the great field of war. The people had almost
wholly abandoned the place; the dwellings were re-
duced to ash-heaps, and a few soldiers only were
quartered there to guard the road to Brookfield and
the Connecticut. Sudbury at this time was theobjec-
ti ve point of King Philip. That he had a special pur-
pose in assailing the place, other than what led him
to conduct the war elsewhere, is implied in “ The
Old Petition,” in the words before quoted, where the
object of revenge is mentioned. Certain it is, he had
a strong force, and fought hard and long to destroy
the place.
Date of Philip’s Attack on the Town. — Before
entering, however, on the details of the conflict, we
will notice the time at which it occurred. Previous
to the discovery of “ The Old Petition,” two dates had
been assigned, namely, the ISthand the 21st of April.
Various authorities were quoted in support of each.
So important was the matter considered, that a com-
mittee was appointed to examine evidence on the sub-
ject. The committee reported in favor of the 21st.
(Report of Kidder and Underwood.) Notwithstand-
ing this decision, opinions still differed ; but the dis-
covery of “ The Old Petition ” has fully settled this
matter, and established beyond question that the date
cf Philip’s attack on the town and the garrisons, and
the ‘‘Sudbury Fight,” was the 21st. We can under-
stand how, before the discovery of this paper, opinions
might vary ; how an historian might mistake as to a
date, and a monument might perpetuate the error.
When President Wadsworth erected a slate-stone at
the grave of Captain Wadsworth, the date inscribed
might have been taken from the historian Hubbard,
who might have received it from an unreliable source.
But we can hardly suppose that a mistake could occur
in the paper above referred to concerning the date of
this event. This paper is a calm, deliberate docu-
ment, signed by inhabitants of Sudbury, and sent to
the Colonial Cciurt less than six months after the in-
vasion by Philip. It gives the dale of the invasion in
the following words: “An Account of Losse Sus-
tained bySeverall Inhabitants of y' towne of Sudbury
by y® Indian Enemy 21“ April 1676.”
Number of the Enemy. — Philip arrived with his
force at Marlboro’ on or about the 18th of April, and
soon started for Sudbury. The number of his warriors
has been variously estimated. In the “ Old Indian
Chronicle ” it is given as “ about a thousand strong.”
Gookin states, in his history of the Christian Indians,
“ that upon the 21“ of April about mid-day tidings
came by many messengers that a great body of the
enemy not less as was judged than fifteen hundred,
for the enemy to make their force seem very large
there were many women among them whom they had
fitted with pieces of wood eut in the forms of guns,
which these carried, and were placed in the centre,
they had assaulted a place called Sudbury that morn-
ing, and set fire of sundry houses and barns of that
town . . . giving an account that the people of the
place were greatly, distressed and earnestly desired
succor.”
The Attack. — During the night of April 20th
Philip advanced his force and took position for the
coming day. It was early discovered by the inhabit-
ants that during the night-time the Indians had got-
ten possession of everything in the west part of the
town but the garrisons, and that they had become so
scattered about in squads, and had so occupied various
localities, that at a given signal they could strike a
concerted blow. Says the “Old Indiaii Chronicle,”
‘‘The houses were built very scatteringly, and the
enemy divided themselves into small parties, which
executed their design of firing at once.” The smoke
of dwellings curled upward on the morning air, ihe
war-whoop rang out from the forest, and from the
town’s westerly limit to the IVatertown boundary the
destructive work was begun. It is said by tradition
that the Indians even entered the Watertown terri-
tory, and set fire to a barn in what is now Weston.
About the time of firing the deserted houses the
Indians made their attack on the garrisons. The de-
tachments for this work were probably as specifically
set apart as were those for burning the dwelling-
THE HAYNES GARRISON HOUSE
4-
^ r
rn r
'
rr
o > -
SUDBURY
15
places ; and doubtless hours before daybreak the foe
lay concealed in their picked places, ready to pour
their shot on the wall. The attack on the Haynes
house was of great severity. The position of the
building favored the near and concealed approach of
the enemy. The small hill at the north afforded a
natural rampart from which to direct his fire; behind
it he could skulk to close range of the house and
drive his shot with terrible force on the walls. There
is a tradition that, by means of this hill, the Indians
tried to set the building on fire. They filled a cart
with flax, ignited, and started it down the hill towards
the house ; but before it reached its destination it
upset, and the building was saved. Tradition also
states that near the house was a barn, which the In-
dians burned; but that this proved advantageous to
the inmates of the garrison, as it had afforded a shel-
ter for the Indians to fire from. Probably this barn
was burned with the expectation of setting fire to the
house.
But it was not long that the Indians were to fight at
close range; the bold defenders soon sallied forth,
and commenced aggressive warfare. They fell on
the foe, forced them back, and drove them from their
“skulking approaches.” The service at the other
garrisons was probably all that was needed. That
none of these houses were captured is enough to indi-
cate a stout and manly defence. They were all cov-
eted objects of the enemy, and plans for the capture
of each had been carefully laid.
While the town’s inhabitants were defending the
garrisons, reinforcements were approaching the town
from several directions. Men hastened from Concord
and Watertown, and some were sent from the vicinity
of Boston. The Concord company consisted of
“twelve resolute young men,” who endeavored to
render assistance in the neighborhood of the Haynes
garrison-house. Before they had reached it, how-
ever, and formed a junction with the citizens of the
town, they were slain in a neighboring meadow. The
men thus slain on the meadow were left where they
fell until the following day, when their bodies were
brought in boats to the foot of the old town bridge
and buried. The reinforcements from Watertown
were more fortunate than those from Concord, and
were spared to assist in saving the town. They were
led or sent by the gallant Hugh Mason, of Water-
town, and assisted in driving a company of Indians
to the west side of the river.
The Wadsworth Fight. — Another company of
reinforcements w'ere commanded by Samuel Wads-
worth, of Milton, who was sent out for the assistance
of Marlborough. The number in this company had
been variously estimated. Mather sets it at seventy.
“The Old Indian Chronicle” says, “Wadsworth
being designed of a hundred men, to repair to Marl-
boro, to strengthen the garrison and remove the
goods.” Hubbard says, “ That resolute, stout-hearted
soldier, Capt, Wadsworth . . being sent from
Boston with fifty soldiers to relieve Marlboro.” It is
not remarkable that estimates should differ with re-
gard to the number in this company, since all the
men who accompanied Wadsworth from Boston were
not in the engagement at Sudbury. When Cajjt.
Wadsworth reached Marlboro’ he exchanged a part of
his younger men, who were wearied with the march,
for some at the garrison, and accompanied by Captain
Brocklebank, the garrison commander, started back
to Sudbury. Lieutenant Jacobs, who commanded
the garrison in the absence of Brocklebank, in re-
porting to the authorities in regard to the number of
men left with him, states as follows: “There is re-
maining in our company forty-six, several whereof
are young soldiers left here by Captain Wadsworth,
being unable to march. But though he left a part of
his men he took some from the garrison at Marlboro.”
From what we know of the fate of a large part
of this company, and the circumstances attendant
upon the expedition, we conclude the number en-
gaged in the Sudbury fight was not much over
fifty. If twenty-nine men were found slain after the
battle, and fourteen escaped, and about a half dozen
were taken captive, the number would not be far from
the foregoing estimate.
Captain Wadsworth arrived at Marlboro’ some time
during the night of the 20tb. Upon ascertaining
that the Indians had gone in the direction of Sud-
bury, he did not stop to take needed refreshment, but
started upon the enemy’s trail.
The English encountered no Indians until they had
gone some distance into Sudbury territory, when they
came upon a small party, who fled at their approach .
Captain Wadsworth with his company pursued until
they found themselves in an ambush, where the main
body of Philip’s forces lay concealed. The place of
the ambush was at what is now South Sudbury, a
little nor_theasterly of the village and on the west-
erly side of Green Hill.
The force that lay concealed is supposed to have
been quite strong. Gookin speaks of “ the enemy
being numerous.” “The Old Indian Chronicle”
speaks of it as about a thousand. As the foe appeared,
the English pursued, and followed hard as they
withdrew. But the pursuit was fatal. The Indians
retreated until the place of ambush was reached.
Then suddenly the foe opened his fire from a chosen
place of concealment, where each man had the oppor-
tunity of working to advantage.
But, though suddenly beset on all sides, they main-
tained a most manly defence. It may be doubtful if
there is its equal in the annals of the early Indian
wars. From five hundred to one thousand savages,
with Philip himself to direct their manoeuvres, pour-,
ing their fire from every direction, and this against
about four-score of Englishmen, hard marched, in an
unfamiliar locality, could do deadly work. Y"et there
is no evidence of undue confusion among the ranks
of the English.
IG
SUDBURY.
The sudden onslaught of the savages was attended,
as usual, with shoutings and a horrible noise, which
but increased the threatening aspect, and tended to
indicate that things were worse than they were. In
spite of all this, the brave company maintained their
position, and more than held their own. Says Mather,
“They fought like men and more than so.” Says
“ The Old Indian Chronicle,” “ Xot at all dismayed
by their numbers, nor dismal shouts and horrid yell-
ings, ours made a most courageous resistance.” Not
only was the foe kept at bay, and the English force
mainly kept compact, but a movement was made to
obtain a better position ; hard by was the summit of
Green Hill, and thitherward, fighting, Wadsworth
directed his course. This he reached, and for hours
he fought that furious host, with such success that it
is said he lost but five men.
The Forest Fire. — But a new element was to be
introduced. The fight had doubtless been prolonged
far beyond what Philip had at first supposed it would
be. Desperate in his disappointment that the
English had not surrendered, they again resorted to
strategy to accomplish their work. The day was
almost done. Philip’s force had been decimated by
Wadsworth’s stubborn defence. Darkness was soon
to set in, and under its friendly concealment the
English might make their escape. New means must
be employed, or the battle to the Indians was lost,
and the fate of Philip’s slain warriors would be
unavenged. Wadsworth might form a junction wdth
the soldiers at the east side of the town, or make
his way to the Goodnow Garrison just beyond Green
Hill. A crisis was at hand. Philip knew it, and
made haste to meet it. The fight began with strategy,
and he sought to close it with strategy. He set fire
to the woods and the flames drove Wadsworth from
his advantageous position.
The Retreat. — With this new combination of
forces pressing hard upon them, nothing was left but
retreat. But the results of the retreat were disastrous
and exceedingly sad. There is something melancholy
indeed attendant on that precipitous flight. For hours,
shoulder to shoulder, these men had manfully stood.
Inch by inch they had gained the hill-top. The
wounded had likely been borne with them, and laid
at their protectors’ feet ; and the brave company
awaited night’s friendly shades to bear them gently
to a place of relief. But they were to leave them now
in the hands of a foe less merciful than the flames
from which they had been forced to retire. Their de-
fenders had fired their last shot that would keep the
foe at bay, and in hot haste were to make a rush
for the Hop Brook Mill. It was a race for life; a
gauntlet from which few would escape.
The flight of the men to the mill was doubtless at-
tended with fearful loss. It was situated at what now
is South Sudbury Tillage, on the site of the pres-
ent Parmenter Mill. The distance from the top of
Green Hill is from a quarter to half a mile. This
distance was enough to make the staughter great. A
break in the ranks and the foe could close in, and the
tomahawk and war-club could do a terrible work.
Loss OF THE English. — As to the number of
English slain, accounts somewhat differ. This is not
strange, when men differ as to the number engaged.
Mather says “ that about fifty of the men were slain
that day.” Gookin speaks of “ thirty-two besides the
tsvo captains.” Hubbard says, “ So as another cap-
tain and his fifty perished that time of as brave sol-
diers as any who were ever employed in the service.”
Lieut. Richard Jacobs, of the garrison at Marlboro’,
in his letter to the Council, dated April 22, 1676 (Vol.
LXVHI., p. 223, State Archive-), says, “ This hiorn-
ing, about sun two hours high, ye enemy alarmed us by
firing and .shouting toward ye government garrison
house at Sudbury.” He goes on to state that “ soon
after they gave a shout and came in great numbers on
Indian Hill, and one. as their accustomed manner is
after a fight, began to signify to us how many were
slain ; they whooped seventy-four times, which we
hope was only to affright us, seeing we have had no
intelligence of any such thing, yet we have reason to
fear the worst, considering the numbers, which we ap-
prehend to be five hundred at the most, others think a
thousand.”
Thus, according to the various accounts, by far the
greater part were slain. There is one thing which
goes to show, however, that Mather may not be far
from correct, — that is, the evidence of the exhumed
remains. When the grave was opened a few years
ago, parts of the skeletons of twenty-nine men were
found. We can hardly suppose, however, that these
were all the slain. Some who were wounded may
have crawled away to die. Others, disabled, may
have been borne from the spot by the foe; and,
in various ways, the wounded may have been remov-
ed, to perish near or remote from the field of battle.
The Captured. — But the sad story is not wholly
told when w’e speak of the slain. The tragedy was
not complete when the surviving few had left the
field and taken refuge in the mill. Some were cap-
tured alive. These were subjected to such atrocious
treatment as only a savage w’ould be expected to give.
Says Hubbard, “ It is related by some that afterwards
escaped how they cruelly tortured five or six of the
English that night.” Mather says, “They took five
or six of the English and carried them away alive,
but that night killed them in such a manner as none
but savages would have done, . . . delighting to see
the miserable torments of the w'retched creatures.
Thus are they the perfect children of the devil.”
The Survivors. — The few English who escaped
to the mill found it a place of safety. Says tradition,
this was a fortified place, but it was then left in a
defenceless condition. This latter fact the Indians
were ignorant of, hence it w’as left unassailed. The
escaped soldiers were rescued at night by Warren and
Pierce, with some others, among whom was Captain
Mill Village.
See page 20'!.
SUDBURY.
17
Prentis, “ who coming in the day hastily though some-
what too late to the relief of Capt. Wadsworth having
not six troopers that were able to keep way with him
fell into a pound or place near Sudbury town end^
where all passages were stopped by the Indians.”
Captain Cowell also gave assistance, and thus these
weary, war-worn men, the remnant of the gallant
company that fought on that memorable day, were
conducted to a place of safety.
Burial, of the Dead. — The morning light of the
22d of April broke upon a sad scene in Sudbury. The
noise of the batrle had ceased, and the fires had faded
away with the night-shadows. Philip had betaken
himself from the field of his hard-earned and unfor-
tunate victory, and nothing of life was left but the
leafless woods, and these charred as if passed over by
the shadow of death. It was a scene of loneliness
and desolation. The dead, scalped and stripped, were
left scattered as they fell ; while their victors by the
sun-rising were far on their way back over the track
which they had made so desolate. This scene, how-
ever, was shortly to change. Warm hearts and stout
hands were pushing their way to see what the case
might demand, and, if possible render, relief.
Before nightfall of the 21st, so far as we have learned,
little, if any intelligence was received by the parties
who had rushed to the rescue, of the true state of
things about Green Hill. Wadsworth and Brockle-
bank were encompassed about by the foe, so that no
communication could be conveyed to the English, who
anxiously awaited tidings of their condition. It was
known at the easterly part of the town that hard
fighting was in progress at or near Green Hill. The
shouting, firing and smoke betokened that a battle
was in progress, but how it would terminate none
could tell. After the Sudbury and Watertown men
had driven the Indians over the river, they strove
hard to reach the force on the hill. Says Warren and
Pierce, in their petition : “We who were with them
can more largely inform this Honored Council that as
it is said in the petition, that we drove two hundred
Indians over the river and with some others went to
see if we could relieve Capt. Wadsworth upon the
hill, and there we had a fight with the Indians, but
they being so many of them, and we stayed so long
that we were almost encompassed by them, which
caused us to retreat to Capt. Goodnow’s garrison
house, and there we stayed it being near night till it
was dark.”
But another force had also striven to reach the town,
and join in the work of rescue. This was a company
from Charlestown, commanded by Captain Hunting.
Of this company, Gookin says (“ History of Christian
Indians”) : “ On the 2P‘ of April, Capt. Hunting had
drawn up and ready furnished his company of forty
Indians at Charlestown. These had been ordered by
the council to march to the Merrimac river near
Chelmsford, and there to settle a garrison near the
great fishing places where it w'as expected the enemy
would come to get fish for their necessary food.” But,
says Gookin, “ Behold God’s thoughts are not as ours,
nor His ways as ours, for just as these soldiers were
ready to march upon the 21“ of April, about midday,
tidings came by many messengers that a grt-at body of
the enemy . . . had assembled at a town called Sud-
bury that morning.” He says “that just at the begin-
ning of the lecture there, as soon as these tidings
came. Major Gooken and Thomas Danforth, two of the
magistrates who were there hearing the lecture ser-
mon, being acquainted, he withdrew out of the meet-
ing house, and immediately gave orders for a ply of
horses belonging to Capt. Prentis’s troop under con-
duct of Corporal Phipps, and the Indian company
under Capt. Hunting, forthwith to march away for the
relief of Sudbury ; which order was accordingly put
into execution. Capt. Hunting with his Inlian com-
pany being on foot, got not into Sudbury until a little
within night. The enemy, as is before [narrated],
were all retreated unto the west side of the river of
Sudbury, where also several English inhabited.”
But though the rescuing parties were either re-
pulsed or too late to render assistance at the fight,
they were on hand to bury the dead. Says Warren
and Pierce, — “After hurrying the bodies of the Con-
cord men at the bridge’s foot, we joined ourselves to
Capt. Hunting and as many others as we could pro-
cure, and went over the river to look for Capt. Wads-
worth and Capt. Broklebank, and we gathered them
up and hurried them.”
The manner in which this burial scene proceeded is
narrated thus by Mr. Gookin (“ History of Christian
Indians”): “Upon the 22'“’ of April, early in the
morning, over forty Indians having stripped them-
selves and painted their faces like to the enemy, they
passed over the bridge to the west side of the river,
without any Englishmen in the company, to make
discovery of the enemy (which was generally con-
ceded quartered thereabout), but this did not at all
discourage our Christian Indians from marching and
discovering, and if they had met with them to beat
up their quarters. But God had so ordered that the
enemy were all withdrawn and were retreated in the
night. Our Indian soldiers having made a thourough
discovery and to their great relief (for some of them
wept when they saw so many English lie dead on the
place among the slain), some they knew, viz., those
two worthy and pious Captains, Capt. Broklebank, of
Rowley, and Capt. Wadsworth, of Milton, who, with
about thirty-two private soldiers, were slain the day
before. ... As soon as they had made a full discov-
ery, [they] returned to their Captains and the rest of
the English, and gave them an account of their mo-
tions. Then it was concluded to march over to the
place and bury the dead, and they did so. Shortly
after, our Indians marching in two files upon the
wings to secure those that went to bury the dead, God
so ordered it that they met with no interruption in
that work.”
18
SUDBURY.
Thus were the slain soldiers buried on that April
morning, in the stillness of the forest, far away from
their kindred, friends and homes. Tho.se who,
through inability, had failed to defend them in the
day of battle, now tenderly took them to their last,
long resting-place. A single grave contained them.
Though scattered, they were borne to one common
place of burial, and a rough heap of stones was all
that marked that lone, forest grave. Such was that
soldiers’ sepulchre — a mound in the woods, left to
grow gray with the clustering moss of years, yet
marking in its rustic simplicity one of the noblest and
most heroic events known in the annals of King
Philip's War. They sleep
while the bells of autumn toll,
Or the murmuring song of spring flits by,
Till the crackling heavens in thunder roll.
To the bugle-blast on high.”
Place of Burial. — The grave was made on the
westerly side of Green Hill, near its base, and was in the
northeast corner of the South Sudbury Cemetery be-
fore its recent enlargement. In our recollection the
grave was marked by a rude stone heap, at the head
of which was a plain slate-stone slab. The heap was
made of common loose stones, such as a man could
easily lift, and was probably placed there when the
grave was made. It was perhaps three or four feet
high, and a dozen feet wide at the base. The slab
was erected about 1730 by President Wadsworth, of
Harvard College, son of Captain Wadsworth. As we
remember the spot, it was barren and briar-grown ; ]
loose stones, fallen from the top and sides of the
mound, were half concealed in ^he wild wood grass
that grew in tufts about it. It remained in this con-
dition for years, and the villagers from time to time
visited it as a place of interest.
In the year 1851 the town agitated the matter of
erecting a monument, and the Legislature was peti-
tioned for aid, which was granted. But the monu-
ment does not mark the original grave. The com-
mittee who had the matter in charge located it about
fifty feet to tbe north. The old grave was at or
about the turn of the present avenue or path, at the
northeast corner of the Adam Smith family lot in the
present Wadsworth Cemetery. After it was decided
to erect the monument in its present position, the re-
mains of the soldiers were removed. The grave was
opened without ceremony in the presence of a small
company of villagers. It was the writer’s privilege to
be one of the number, and, according to our recollec-
tion, the grave was about six feet square, in which the
bodies were placed in tiers at right angles to each
other. Some of the skeletons were large and all well
preserved.
The war with King Philip being ended, the way
was open for renewed prosperity. New buildings
went up on the old estates, garrisons again became
quiet homesteads, and the fields smiled with plenti-
ful harvests.
Erection of Saw'-Mill. — A movement that de-
notes the town’s activity and recuperative power was
the erection of a saw-mill. A town record dated
March 26, 1677, imforms us it was ordered that
“ Peter King, Thomas Read, Sen., John Goodenow,
John Smith and Joseph Freeman have liberty granted
them to build a saw-mill upon Hop Brook above Mr.
Peter Noyes’s mill, at the place viewed by the commit-
tee of this town chosen the last week, which if they do,
they are to have twenty tons of timber of the common
lands for the building thereof, and earth for their
dam, and also they are to make a small dam or sufiB-
cient causage so as to keep the waters out of the swamp
lands there, provided also that if Mr. Peter Noyes
shall at any time throw up his corn-mill they do in
room thereof set up a corn-mill as sufficient to grind
the town’s corn and grain as Mr. Noyes’s present mill
hath done and doth, and see to maintain the same,
and whenever they or any of them their heirs, execu-
tors, administrators. Assigns, or successors, shall
either throw up their said corn-mill or fail to grind
the town’s corn and grain as above said, the towns
land hereby granted shall be forfeited and returned to
the town’s use again, and lastly the said personsare not
to pen up the water, or saw at any time between the
middle of April and the first of September, and they
are also to make good all the highway that they
shall damage thereby.”
Death of Rev. Edmund Browne. — The town
had not moved far on the road to renewed prosperity
before another calamity came. This was the death of
its pastor. Rev. Edmund Browne, who died June 22,
1678.
Mr. Browne came from England in 1637, and, ac-
cordingly to Mather, was ordained and in actual ser-
vice in that country before he came to America. He
was a freeman of Ma.s3achusetts Bay Colony, May
13, 1640. He married, about 1645, Anne, widow of
John Loveren, of Watertown, but left no children. He
was a member of the synod that established “ The
Cambridge Platform,” 1646-48 ; was on the council
that met in 1657 to settle the difficulties in Rev. Mr.
Stone’s church, Hartford; preached the artillery elec-
tion sermon in 1666; and his name is attached to the
testimony of the seventeen ministers against the pro-
ceedings of the three elders of the First Church, Bos-
ton, about 1669.
Mr. Browne was quite a land-owner, his real estate
as it is supposed, amounting to three hundred acres.
His early homestead at Timber Neck had originally
belonging to it seventy acres. He received from the
General Court a grant of meadow land situated in the
present territory of Framingham, and from time to
time became possessed of various lands both within
and without the town. Mr. Browne hunted and
fished, and it is said was a good angler. He played on
several musical instruments and was a noted musi-
cian. In his will he speaks of his “ Base Voyal ” and
musical booksand instruments. He was much interest-
THE WADSWORTH GRAVE.
South Sudbury.
SUDBUKV.
19
ed in educating and Christianizing the Indians, and at
one time had some of them under his special care-
His library was for those times quite valuable, con-
taining about one hundred and eighty volumes. He
left fifty pounds to establish a grammar school in
Sudbury ; but by vote of the town, in 1724, it was
diverted to another purpose. He also left one hun-
dred pounds to Harvard College.
Soon after the death of Mr. Browne the town
called the Eev. James Sherman to the pastorate, and
bought for his use, of John Loker, “the east end of
his house, standing before and near the meeting-
house; and the reversion due to him of the western
end of the house that his mother then dwelt in.”
The town also agreed to pay Mr. Sherman eighty
pounds salary, part in money and part in produce.
New Meeting-Hotjse. — In 1685 the town made a
contract for a new meeting-house which was to “stand
upon the present burying-place of this town, and on
the most convenient part thereof, or behind or about
the old meeting-house that now is.”
Military Matters. — In the wars that occurred
in the last of the seventeenth and the early part of
the eighteeni.h centuries, Sudbury soldiers did valiant
service. The town was represented in the ill-fated
expedition of Sir William Phipps, in 1690, and in the
expedition subsequently made against the eastern In-
dians. They also later did good service in and about
Eutland, Ma^s. Eepeatedly are the town’s soldiers
on the muster-rolls of a company of rangers who
served in that vicinity. One of the commanding
officers was William Brintnal, a Sudbury school-
master.
Schools. — A prominent feature in the history of
Sudbury at the beginning of the eighteenth century
was the attention given to schools.
November 17, 1701, at a town-meeting, “it was
voted to choose Mr. Joseph Noyes as a grammar
school master for one year. . . . Also chose Mr. W“
Brown and Mr. Thomas Plympton to present the said
school master unto the Eev. ministers for their appro-
bation of him, which are as followeth, Mr. James
Sherman, Mr. Joseph Esterbrooks, Mr. Swift, of Fra-
mingham.” This reverend committee duly met, and
examined the candidate, and reported as follows,
Nov. 21, 1701: “ We, the subscribers, being desired
by the town of Sudbury to write what we could testify
in concerning the justification of Mr. Joseph Noyes,
of Sudbury, for a legall Grammar School master, hav-
ing examined the said Mr. Joseph Noyes, we find
that he hath been considerably versed in the Latin
and Greek tongue, and do think that upon his dili-
gent revisal and recollection of what he hath formerly
learned, he may be qualified to initiate and instruct
the youth in the Latin tongue.
“Joseph Esterbrooks, John Swift.”
On the strength of this careful approval and
guarded recommendation the successful candidate
went forth to his work. He did not, however, tong
retain his position. For some cause not mentioned
the place soon became vacant; and February of the
same year Jlr. Picher became Mr. Noyes’ successor.
The contract made with Mr. Picher was as follows :
“It is agreed and concluded that the town will and
doth grant to pay unto Mr. Nathaniel Picher six
pounds in money in course hee doth accept of the
Towne’s choice as to be our Grammar scool master,
also for one quarter of a yeare, and to begin ye third
of March next ensuing, and to serve in the place the
full quarter of a yeare, one half of the time on the
east side of the Eiver, and the other half of the time
on the west side of the river. This Grammar scool
master chosen if he accepts and doth enter upon the
work it is expected by the above said Towne, that he
should teach all children sent to him to learn Eng-
lish and the Latin tongue, also writing and the art
of Arithmatic.” In 1703 it* was voted to pay Mr.
Picher for service done that year twenty-eight
pounds, “he deducting a months pay . . .for his
being absent one month in summer time from keep-
ing of scool, which amounth to twelfeth part of time ; ”
“also voted and agreed, as a free will, to give unto
Mr. Picher two days in every quarter of his year to
visit his friends, if he see cause to take up with it.”
In 1711, Lieut. Thomas Frink and Quartermaster
Brintnal were “ to agree with some person who is
well instructed in ye tongues to keep a scool.” His
pay was not to exceed thirty pounds.
The place of the school was changed from time to
time. In 1702 it was voted “ that the scool master
should keep y® scool on y® west side of y® river at y®
house of Thomas Brintnell, which is there parte of
time belonging to y® west side of y® river.” The
custom of changing the place of the school was con-
tinued for many years; for we find the following
record as late as 1722; “Voted by the town that y®
scool master shall keep scool one half of y® time on
y® west side of y® river in Sudbury, voted by y® town,
that y® scool master shall keep y® first quarter at y®
scool house at y® gravel pitt, voted by y® town that
y® second to bee keept on y® east side y® river as Near
y® water as ntay be conveniant, voted by y® town
that y® third quarter to be keept at y® house of Insign
John Moore, voted by y® town that y® fourth quarter
to be keept at y® house of Clark Gleason.” In the
year 1717 Samuel Paris was to keep school four
months of the year at the school-house on the west
side of the river, and at his own house the rest of the
year. If he was away part of the time he was to
make it up the next year.
In addition to these means for obtaining advanced
instruction, there were schools of a simpler character.
About the time that provision was made for a gram-
mar school, we read of “ masters who were to teach
children to rede and wright and cast accounts.” This
was done in 1701, at which time the town “voted and
chose John Long and John Balcom” for the purpose
just stated, “and to pay them for one year thirty
20
SUDBURY.
shillings apiece.” From this time repeated reference
is made in the records to schools of a primary or
mixed character.
Amongthe schoolmasters who served before 1750 are
William Brintnal, Joseph Noyes, Nathaniel Picher,
Jonathan Hoar, Samuel Paris, Nathaniel Trask, Jon-
athan Loring, John Long, John Balcom, John Mel-
len, Samuel Kendall, Ephraim Curtis and Zachery
Hicks. Some of these laught for a succession of
terms or years. William Brintnal taught a grammar
school as late as 1733-34, and receipts are found of
Samuel Kendall in 1725 and 1736.
Prior to 1700, school-house accommodations w’ere
scant. There was no school building whatever. In
1702 “the town agreed that the school should be kept
at the meeting-house half a quarter and the other half
quarter at the house of Benjamin Morses.” But it is
a law of progress that improvement in one direction
suggests improvement in another; so with better
schools better accommodations were sought for. Jan-
uary 1, 1702, the “town voted and paste into an act,
to have a convenient scool-hous;” also voted “that
the scool -house that shall be built by the town shall
be set and erected as near the centre of the town, as
may be conveniantly set upon the town’s land;” also
“that it be twenty feet in length, ; : : eighteen feet
in breadth, seven feet from the bottom of the cell to the
top of the plate, a large chimney to be within the house,
the house to be a log-house, made of pine, only the
sides to be of white oak bord and shingles to be covered
cells with. Also the chimney to be of stone to the
mortling and finished with brick. This was paste into
an act and vote Jan. 15“' 1701-2.” At another meeting
it was decided “ that there should be two scool-
houses ; ” that they should be of the same dimensions ;
and “that the one on the east side should be set near
to Enoch Cleavland’s dwelling-house.” It was after-
wards voted that “the scool-houses should be builte
by a general town acte and that the selectmen should
make a rate of money of 20 pounds for their erection.”
One of the houses was to be placed “by Cleafflands
and the other near unto Robert ]\Ians.” In 1711 the
town voted to have but one school-house, and this
school-house was to be built at “ y® gravel pitt.” “ Y'
scool-house” here mentioned was “to be 20 foot long,
16 foot wide, six foot studd, nine foot and a half sparrl.
Ye sills to be white oak ye outside, to be horded, and
ye bords to be feather-edge. Y"e inside to be birch and
horded with Ruff bords, lower and uper flower to be bord
anda brick Chemne, and two glass windows 18 Enches
square pe^ window, and the Ruffe to be horded and
shingled.” It was to be ready for a school by the last
of May, 1712. Joseph Parmenter was to make it, and
have for pay fourteen pounds.
The evidence is that the desire for school privileges
spread, and that the extremity of the town soon
sought for increased advantages. April 17, 1719, the
town was called upon “to see if it will grant the
North west quarter of the towns petition, they desir-
ing the school master some part of the time with
them.”
Division of the Town into Two Preitncts. —
As in educational matters, so in those pertaining to
the church, we find the period prolific in change.
Great and important events transpired relating to the
meeting-house, the minister and the people. The
first change was the dismission of the pastor. On
May 22. 1705, the pastoral relation between Rev.
James Sherman and the people of Sudbury was dis-
solved. But not long was the church left pastorless.
The same year of Mr. Sherman’s removal a town-
meeting was held, in which it was voted “ y‘ y® town
will chose a man to preach ye word of God unto us for
a quarter of a year.” The Rev. Israel Loring was
chosen for the term mentioned. He began to preach
in Sudbury, Sept. 16, 1705; and the result was he was
ordained as pastor, Nov. 20, 1706.
After the settlement of Mr. Loring, ecclesiastical
matters were not long in a quiet state. A new sub-
ject soon engrossed public attention. There was an
attempt made to divide the town into two parochial
precincts. The west side people doubtless loved the
little hill-side meeting-house, about which were the
graves of their friends, and whose history was asso-
ciated with so much of their owm. Their fondness
for it had doubtless increased as the years passed by,
and there clustered about it memories of things the
sweetest and the saddest that had entered into their
checkered experience. Here their children had been
offered in baptism ; here had been the bridal and the
burial, the weekly greetings and partings, the ex-
change of intelligence of heart and home. It had
been the place for prayer and the preached v/ord ; a
place of watch and ward, and a place of resort in
times of danger. But notwithstanding their fondness
for the sacred spot, they were too practical a people
to allow sentiment to interfere with their true pro-
gress, and what they believed to be their spiritual
good.
With their extremely slow means of transit, and the
rough roads of that period when at their best, it was
a long and weary way they had to travel every Sab-
bath day; but when the roads became blocked with
the drifting snow, or the river was swollen with
floods, then it was sometimes a perilous undertaking
to reach the east side meeting-house and return. In
that primitive period the people of Sudbury did not
desire even a good excuse to keep them from public
worship ; they were Puritanic in both precept and
practice. They would allow no small obstacle to
cheat their soul of its rights ; but if there were hin-
derances in the way to their spiritual helps, they re-
quired their immediate removal.
Hence, a movement was inaugurated to divide the
town, and make of it two precincts, in each of which
there should be a church. A primary act for the ac-
complishment of this purpose was to obtain the con-
sent of the General Court. To do this a petition was
I
I
GEORGE PITTS TAVERN,
Sudbury.
See page 205.
SUDBUKY.
21
presented, which, as it tells its own story, and sets
forth the entire case, we will present :
“Petition of the West Side people of Sudlury to Governor Dudley and
the General Assembly.
“The petition of us who are the subscribers living on ye west side of
Sudbury great River Humbly showeth that w ereas ye All wise and over
Ruling providence of ye great God, Lord of Heaven and Earth w ho is
God blessed forever nioore, hath cast our lott to fall on that side of the
River by Reason of the find of w atare, which for a very great part of the
yeare doth very much incomode us, and often by extremity of water and
terrible and violent winds, and a great part of the w inter by ice, as it is
at this present, so that wee are shut up and cannot come forth, and many
times when wee doe atempt to git over our flud, we are forced for to seek
our spiritual good w ith the peril of our Lives.
“Beside the extreme Traviil that many of us are Exposed unto sum
3 : 4 : 6 : 6 : miles much more that a Sabbath days Jurney, by Reason of
these and many n»ore objections, to many here to enumerate, whereby
many of our children and little ones, ancient and weak persons, can very
Rarly attend the public worship. The cons dered premises we truly
pray j’our Excellency and ye Honorable Council and House of Repre-
sentatives to consider and compassionate us in our Extreme suffering
condition, and if we may obtain so much favor in your Eyes as to grant
us [our presents] as to appoint us a Comndty to see and consider our
circumstances and make report thereof to this honorable Court. And
your pore petitioners shuli ever pray.
“Sudbury, January 15'** ITOf.
“ John Goodnow.
John haines.
John Brigham.
William Walker.
George Parmenter.
David how.
George Parmenter, Jr.
Joseph Parmenter.
John brigham.
Samu**! willis.
Joseph willis.
Richard Sanger.
Tho : Smith.
Joseph Hayes [Haynes],
timothy gibson, J^
Joseph F. Jew el (his maik).
Isaac Mellen.
Melo C. Taylor (his mark).
John Balconi.
Joseph Balcom.
(State Archives, vol. ii., page 221.)
John haynes, Jr.
Robert Man his mark.
Benjamin wright.
David Haynes.
Prefer haines.
Thomas Brintnal.
Edward Goodnow his mark.
John Goodenow, jr.
Ephraim Garheid, his mark.
Thomas Smith, Junior.
Jonathan Rice.”
After repeated discussion of the subject, and years
had elapsed, permission was given to the w’est side
people to erect a meeting-house and maintain a min-
ister. At a tow’n-meeting, December 26, 1721, held
at the house of Mr. George Pitts, it was agreed “ to
grant 24 pounds for preaching for the present on the
w'esterly side of the river.’’ It was also decided at
that meeting to choose a committee to present a peti-
tion to the General Court, “ that j' west side inhabit-
ants may have liberty to place their meeting-house
on y' rocky plaine; ” which request was granted.
The preliminary work of forming two parochial
precincts was no'w completed; it only remained to
adjust ecclesiastical relations to the new order of
things, and provide whatever was essential to its suc-
cess.' The church was to be divided, ministers se-
cured and a meeting-house built. All these came
about in due time. After the decision, in December,
1721, “ to have the preaching of the word amongst
us,” and the granting of money to meet the expense.
Rev. Mr. Minot was invited to preach six Sabbaths in
the West Precinct. It may be that about this time
Mr. Loring preached .some on the west side, since on
the town debt, as recorded April 9, 1722, there stands
this statement: “To Mr. Israel Loring to y® support-
ing y® ministry on both [sides] y® river in Sudbury
80. 0. 0.”
But more permanent arrangements svere soon
made. On the 6th of June, 1722, they extended a
call to Rev. Israel Loring, and offered £100 for his
settlement.” July 10th Mr. Loring responded to the
invitation in the following words; “To the Inhabit-
ants of the west Precinct in Sudbury : 1 accept of the
kind invitation you have given me to come over and
settle and be the minister of the Westerly Precinct.”
A few days after the above invitation the east side
invited him to remain with them, and took measures
to provide for “their now settled minister, Mr. Israel
Loring.” The day after replying to the first invita-
tion, he wrote to the east side people informing them
of his decision to leave them and settle in the West
Precinct. Mr. Loring moved to the west side, July
25, 1723. (Stearns Collection ) He lived about a
mile toward the north part of the town, in what was
afterwards an old red house, on the William Hunt
place, that was torn down some years since. He sub-
sequently lived at the centre, on what is known
as the Wheeler Haynes place.
The church records by Mr. Loring state as follows ;
“Feb. 11, 1723. The church met at my house, where,
after the brethren on the east side had manifested
their desire that the church might be divided into
two churches, it was so voted by majority.” At the
time of the division of the church, the number of
communicants on the west side was thirty-two males
and forty-two females. (Stearns Collection.) The
church records went into the possession of the West
Parish.
While ecclesiastical matters w’ere in process of ad-
justment on the west side, they were progressing
towards a settlement on the east side also. It is
stated that the East Precinct was organized June 25,
1722. When the effort to secure the services of Mr.
Loring proved futile, a call was extended to Rev.
William Cook, a native of Hadley, Mass., and a grad-
uate of Harvard College. The call being accepted,
Mr. Cook was ordained March 20, 1723, and continued
their pastor until his death, November 12, 1760. The
town granted eighty pounds to support preaching on
both sides of the river for half a year.
New Meeting-Houses. — An important matter,
in connection with the new order of thing-i, was
the erection of new meeting-houses. This work re-
ceived prompt attention. “ At a town-meeting, Jan-
uary 22 ; 172f the town granted five hundred pounds
to build a new meeting-house on the west side, and
repair the old one on the east side, three hundred and
eighty pounds for the new, and one hundred and
twenty pounds for the repairing of the old on the east
side.” The sum for repairiug the old house was at a
22
SUDBURY.
subsequent meeting made one hundred and fifty
pounds.
The meeting-house in the West Precinct was placed
on the site of the present Unitarian Church in Sud-
bury Centre. The location was probably selected
because central to the inhabitants of the West Pre-
cinct.
The French and Indian Wars. — In the French
and Indian Wars the town repeatedly sent soldiers to
the field who did valiant service for their country.
In the third French war it sent men for the capture
of Cape Breton ; and in the defence of No. 4, a fort on
the Connecticut River, at what is now Charleston,
N. H., Captain Phineas Stevens, a native of Sudbury,
did conspicuous service. Mr. Stevens was born in
Sudbury, February 20, 1700, and a few years later he
went with his father to Rutland. About 1740, he
went to the New Hampshire frontier, and after the
construction of Fort No. 4, he became its commander,
and assisted bravely in its defense. In the arduous
task he was aided for a time, in 1746, by Captain
Josiah Brown, who went from Sudbury with a troop
of horse. In the fourth French and Indian War
Sudbury soldiers were again at the front, and did ser-
vice in the various expeditions of that period.
In 1755 a regiment was raised, and placed under
command of Colonel Josiah Brown, of Sudbury, for
the purpose of preventing the encroachments of the
French about Crown Point and upon “ Lake Iroquois,
commonly called by the French, Lake Champlain.”
The regiment belonged to the command of William
Johnson. The following is a list of the field and staff
officers :
Josiiili Brown, Col. Samuel Brigham, Surgeon.
John Cummings, Lt. Col. Beujauiiu GoU, Surgeon’s Mate.
Steven Jliller, Major. David Mason, Commissary.
Samuel Dunbar, Chaplain. Joseph Lovering, Adjutant.
Sept. 10, 1755, Samuel Dakin received a commission
as captain of foot in this regiment. The muster-roll
of h’s company contains forty-eight names, of which
sixteen are supposed to be from Sudbury.
In a second list of Capt. Dakin’s men eighteen
are supposed to be from Sudbury ; and in a third list
are seventeen names supposed to be of Sudbury men.
Besides these, there were s^me who served in other
companies. Some were in Capt. Josiah Rich-
ardson’s company, and some in Ca{^t. John Nixon’s.
In one of the expeditions of this w’ar the town sus-
tained the loss of Capt. Dakin and several others of
its citizens, who were killed by the Indians at Half-
Way Brook, near Fort Edward, July 20, 1758. At
the time of this event Capt. Dakin and his company
were connected with the expedition of General Am-
herst against Crown Point. The following brief ac-
count of the attendant circumstances are stated in a
diary kept by Lieut. Samuel Thomson, of Woburn :
“July 20, Thursday in the morning, 10 men in a
scout waylaid by the Indians and shot at and larmed
the fort and a number of our men went out to assist
them, and the enemy followed our men down to our
Fort, and in their retreat Capt. Jones and Lieut.
Godfrey were killed, and Capt. Lawrence and Capt.
Dakin and Lieut. Curtis and Phis” Davis, and two or
three non-commissioned officers and privates, to the
number of 14 men, who were brought into the Fort,
all scalped but Ens” Davis, who was killed within 30
or 40 rods from the Fort ; and there was one grave
dug, and all of them were buried together, the officers
by themselves at one end, and the rest at the other
end of the grave ; and Mr. Morrill made a prayer at
the grave, and it was a solemn funeral; and Nath*
Eaton died in the Fort and was buried ; and we kept
a very strong guard that night of 100 men. Haggit
[and] W"* Coggin wounded.”
Then follows a list of the killed, beginning :
“Capt. Ebenezer Jones of Willmington
Capt. Dakin of Sudbury
' Lieut. Samuell Curtice of Ditto
Private Grout of do “
Samuel Dakin was a son of Deacon Joseph Dakin,
whose father, Thomas, settled in Concord prior to
1650. In 1722 he married Mercy Minott, daughter
of Col. Minott, who built the first framed house in
Concord. The farm of Capt. Dakin was in the north-
ern part of Sudbury, on the road running northerly
to Concord, his house being very near the town boun-
dary. As early as 1745 he was appointed ensign of
the second company of foot in Sudbury, of which
Josiah Richardson was captain and Joseph Buck-
minster was colonel. Sept. 10, 1755, he received the
commission of captain in CjI. Josiah Brown’s regi-
ment.
Capt. Dakin was a devout Christian. Just before
going on this la.st expedition, he renewed a solemn
covenant with God which he had made some years
previous. This covenant is still extant.
Among other services rendered by the town was
the maintenance of w’hat were termed French Neu-
trals, the people whom Longfellow has described in
his poem “Evangeline.”
One thousand of these French Neutrals arrived in
the Massachusetts Bay Province, and were supported
at public expense. Different towns, among which
was Sudbury, had their quota to care for. Repeatedly
is there a record of supplies furnished them by the
town. The following is a general statement of some
of these :
“ An Account of what hath been expended by 8^ Town of Sudbury on
Sundry French Persons sent from Nova Scotia to this province and by
6^ government to town of Sudbury.
“The subsisting of Eighteen persons ten days — six persons three
weeks, and four persons twenty-three weeks, the whole amounting to
one hundred and twenty-seven weeks for one person charged at four
shillings week for each person £25 — Se.
Ephraim Curtis Ebenezer Roby
Josiah Brown Josiah Haynes
John Noyes Samuel Dakin
Elijah Smith. Selectmen.
“ Some of them being sick a great many comers and goers to visit them
made the expense the greater even thirteen or fourteen at a time for a
week together.”
SUDBURY.
The Work- House. — In 1753, a movement was
made to establish a work-house in Sudbury. At the
above-named date a vote was taken, when “it passed
very fully in the affirmative, that it [the town] would
provide a Work House in sd town, that Idle & Dis-
orderly People may be properly Employed.”
As evidence of further modes of discipline em-
ployed in this period, we find that, in 1760, the town
allowed payment to Col. Noyes for making stocks,
and also for four staves for the tithingmen. In the
warrant for a town-meeting in 1757, is the following
article : “ To see what the town will do with regard
to Dido, a Negro woman who is now upon charge in
this town.” With regard to this Dido the town or-
dered the selectmen “ to make strict inquiries who
brought Dido into town.”
Another institution introduced into the town in
this period was the pest-house. Tradition points to
several localities, which at that time were within the
town limits, where pest-houses were situated. The
site of one of these is atNobscot Hill. On the east-
ern side of the hill, on land owned by Mr. Hubbard
Brown, and a short distance from a small pond, are the
graves of the small-pox victims. They are clustered
together btneath a small growth of pines that are
now scattered over that briar-grown spot; and the
wind, as it sweeps through the branches of this little
pine grove, and the occasional note of the wildwood
bird, alone break the stillness and disturb the loneli-
ness of that forest burial-place.
In 1760, Rev. William Cook died, and Nov. 4, 1761,
Rev. Josiah Bridge was ordained his successor. On
March 9, 1772, Rev. Israel Loring passed away, and
Nov. 11, 1772, Rev. Jacob Bigelow was ordained for
the pastorate.
Sketch of Mr. Lorixg.— The service of Mr.
Loring in the church at Sudbury was long and fruit-
ful. He died in the ninetieth yearof his age and the
sixty-sixth year of his ministry. It w'as said of him
that “as he earnestly desired and prayed that he
might be serviceable as long as he should live, so it
pleased God to vouchsafe his request, for he continued
to preach ’till the last Sabl)ath but one before his
death, and the next day prayed in the town-meeting,
which was on the 2“'* day of the month. The night
following he was taken ill, and on the 9““ of March,
1772, he expired.” Mr. Loring had pious parentage.
His father, Mr. John Loring, of Hull, came from
England, December 22, 1634. It has been said of him
that, like Obadiah, “ he feared the Lord greatly.”
His mother was also religious, and “ prayed with her
family in her husband's absence.” Mr. Loring was
born at Hull, Mass., April 6, 1682. It is supposed he
was Converted in his youth. He graduated at Har-
vard College in 1701. He began to preach’at Scituate,
Lower Parish, August 1, 1703, and preached first at
Sudbury July 29, 1705. On the fidelity of Mr.
Loring’s ministry we need offer no comments : his
works are his memorials. At the time of his installa-
2:i
I tion atSudbury the church numbered one hundred and
[ twenty, — forty-one males and seventy-nine females.
I During his ministry four hundred and fifty were
added to it; of these, forty-two males and seventy-two
females were added before the division of the church,
and, after the division, there were added to the West
Church one hundred and twenty-nine males and two
hundred and seven females. The whole number of
children baptized by Mr. Loring in Sudbury was
fourteen hundred.
For a time preceding the Revolution, tbe West
Side was divided into the North and South Wards.
In 1765, Richard Heard offered to collect the taxes on
the East Side the river for three pence per pound if
they would appoint him collector and constable ; and
Aaron Haynes offered to collect them for the North
Ward, West Side, and Jedediah Parmenter for the
South Ward at the same rates.
In 1765, the town “voted to build a new stone
pound between Lieut. Augustus Moors’ dwelling-
house at the gravel pit, on Col. Noyes’ land which he
promised to give the town to set a pound on by
Dead.” The pound was to be “ 30 feet square from
Endside to Endside, 6 ft. high with pieces of limber
locked together round the top 8 inches square, for
six pounds and the old pound.”
In 1771, the town voted to build a powder-house in
which to keep the town’s stock of ammunition. It
granted for this object “ 7 pounds 9 shillings and 4
pence, and agreed with Col. John Noyes to build it,
and place it near or on W® Baldwin’s land near
Major Curtis’.” Another record of the same year
states that “ the town voted to erect the powder-house
on the training field near Mr. Elisha Wheelers.” In
1773, it “ voted to remove the powder-house to some
suitable place on or near the gravel pit hill, and
chose a committee to remove the same, if the com-
mittee should think the house will be sufficient for
the use it was built for, and rough cast and underpin
said building.”
Revolutionary War. — The period from 1775 to
1800, in this country, may truly be termed the period
of the Revolution. It witnessed the commencement
and close of armed opposition to the Britsh Crown,
and the establishment in America of a new nation-
ality. In the work of overthrowing the old and es-
tablishing a new government, the several provincial
towns had a common concern; each supplied its
quota and each stood ready to respond to the
country’s call. Sudbury, on account of its situation
and size, bore a prominent part. It was the most
populous town in Middlesex County; its territory was
extensive, and for a time in close proximity to tbe
seat of war ; for these reasons much was expected of
it, and its patriotism was equal to the demand.
The town w'as usually present, by delegates, in re-
sponse to all calls, and her vote was stanch for the
Continental cause. In 1770, the people manifested
their hearty appreciation of the agreement of
24
SUDBURY.
niercharjts in Boston “ to stop the importation of
British goods, and engaged for themselves and all
within their influence, to countenance and encourage
the same.” At an early day they chose a committee
to ' prepare and present instructions to Peter Xoyes,
Representative to the General Court, in regard to the
Stamp Act, which set forth their opinions very
strongly concerning that petty piece of tyranny.
Record after record appears on the town-book, of
resolutions and acts that show how positive the people
were in their patriotism, and how pronounced they
were in declaring it. These are of such a character
that to give a few of them will suffice.
“1773. The Town being met the committee appointed by the town
to take into consideration the afTair relating to the Tea sent here by the
Eiist India Company, reported as follows, viz. :
“ Taking into Consideration the late Conduct of administration, to-
gether with an act of Parliament enabling the East India Company to
e.xpo t their Teas unto America Free of aii Unties and Customs, Regu-
lations and penalties in America as are pr )vided by the Revenue Act ;
we are justly alarmed at this Dstestable Craft and Policy of the Min-
istry to deprive us of our American Liberties Transmitted to us by our
Worthy .Vncestors, at no less expense than that of their Blood and
Treasure. That price our Renowned Forefathers freely paid, that they
might transmit those Glorious Liberties, as a free, full, and fair inher-
itance to Posterity, which liberties through the Indulgent Smiles of
Heaven, we have possessed in peace and Quietness, till within a few
years Past (Excepting in the reign of the Detestable Stewarts) but now
Behold ! the plc.asing scene is changed, the British ministry, assisted by
the Inveterate Enemies to American Liberty on this as well as on the
other side of the -Vtlantick, Combining together to Rob us of our dear
bought freedom, have Brought us to this sad Dilemma, either to re-
solve like men in defense of our just Rights and Liberties, or sink nnder
the weight of their Arbitrary and unconstitutional measures into a
State of abject Slavery. Therefore us Freeborn Ameriains Intitled to all
the immunities. Liberties and Piivileges of Freeborn Englislimen, we
look upon ourselves under the Strongest Obligations to use our utmost
Exertions in defense of our just Bights in every constitutional method
within ourixiwer. Even though the Cost of the Defense should equal that
of the purchase. Therefore resolved
“ IK That as we are entitled to all the Privileges of British Subjects,
we have an undoubted and exclusive Right to Grant our own monies
for the support of Government and that no Power on Earth has a right
to Tax or make Laws binding us, without our consent.
“2dly That the British Pailianient laying a Duty on Tea Payable in
America, for the Express purpose of Raising a Revenue, is in otir
opinion an unjust Taxation, and that the specious method of permitting
the East India Company to export their Teas into the Colonie.s, has a
direct tenclency to rivet the Chain of Slavery upon us.
“3dly. That we will lend all the aid and assistance in our Power in
every Rational Method, to hinder the Importations of Teas, so long as
it is subject to a duty ; and that this Town are well pleased with and
highly approve of that Resolution in particular entered into by the
Town of Boston, viz. : that they will not sufter any Tea to be imported
into that Town while subject to an unrighteous Duty; and it is the
desire and expectation of this Town that said resolution be not relaxed
in any Degree ; which if it should it would much lessen that confidence
(which we hope we may justly say) we have reason to place in that re-
spectable metropolis.
• Tliat the Persons appointed by the East India Company to re-
ceive and vend their Teas (by their obstinate refusal to resign their
odious Commission) have shown a ready disposition to become the Tools
of our Enemies, to oppress and enslave their Native Country, and hav®
manifested such stupidity and wickedness to prefer private Interest to
the good of their Country, and therefore can expect no favor or respect
from us ; but w e leave them to accumulate a load of Infamy, propor-
tionate to their vileness.
“5 That whoever shall sell, buy, or otherwise use Tea, while subject
to and poisoned with a duty, shall be deemed by us Enemies to their
Country’s welfare ; and shall be treated by us as such. The Town by
their Vote Ordered the foregoing resolves to be recorded in the Town
Book, and a Copy of the same to be forwarded to the Committee of Cor-
respondence at Boston, with our sincere thanks to that Respectable
Tow n, for their Manly Opposition to every ministwial measure to en-
slave .\merlca.
“Thomas Plympton, Ezekiel Howe, .Tolin >Iaynard 1 Committee ’’
“.Sampson Belcher, Phinehas Glezen, Josiah Langdon f
Mililarij Preparatiom. — November 14, 1774, “ it was
voted, that the town recommend to the several com-
panies of militia to meet for the choice of officers for
their respective companies, as recommended by the
Provincial Congress. Also voted, that a company of
militia on the East side, meet on Thursday next at
twelve o’clock at the East meeting house in Sudbury,
to choose their officers ; and that the companies on
the West side to meet at the West meeting house at
the same time and for the same purpose.”
Besides looking after the militia, the town took
me.asures to form companies of minute-men. These,
as the name implies, were to hold themselves in read-
iness to act at a minute’s warning. The officers re-
ceived no commissions, but held their positions by
vote of the men. Two such companies were formed,
one on each side of the river. There was also a triiop
of horse composed of men from both precincts. Be-
sides these companies of able-bodied men, there was
an alarm company composed of men exempt from
military service. The names of the companies
were, —
North Miiitia Co., West Side, Capt. Aaron Haynes, 60 men.
East Militia Co., East Side, Capt. .Toseph Smith, 75 men.
South Militia Co. (Lanhaui District), both sides, Capt. Moses Stone, 92
men.
Troop of Horse, both sides, Capt. Isaac Loker, 21 men.
Minute Co., West Side, Capt. John Ni.xoD, 58 men.
Sliuute Co., East Side, Capt. Nathaniel Cudworth, 40 men.
These make, besides the alarm list of Jabez Puffer,
six companies — 348 men — in process of preparation
for the coming struggle.
In 1776, the town “ voted to pay each of the minute-
men one shilling and sixpence for training one half
day in a week, 4 hours to be esteemed a half day,
after they were enlisted and until called into actual
service or dismissed ; and the Captains 3 shillings
and Lieutenants 2 shillings and six pence and the en-
sign 2 shillings.”
The muster-rolls are preserved and represent about
one-fifth of the entire population. The number in
actual service at the Concord and Lexington fight,
three hundred and two. The following report shows
to what extent these companies were equipped ;
“ Sudbury, March y« 27*^ 1775:
“The return of the Severall Companys of Militia and Minute in S'*
Town viz.
** Capt. Moses Stone’s Company — 92 men of them, 18 no guns, at
Least one third part >* forelocks unfit for Sarvis others wais un a qiiipt.
“Capt. Aaron Hayns Company— 60 men weel provided With Arms
the most of them provided with Bayonets or hatchets a boute one quar*
ter Part with Catrige Boxes.
“Capt. Joseph Smith's Company consisting of 75 able
Bodied men forty w’ell a qnipt twenty Promis to find and a quip them-
selves Eniedetly fifteen no guns and other wais un a qnipt.
“The Troop Capt. Isaac Locer (Loker) — 21 Besides what are on the
minit Role well a qnipt.
“ Returned by Ezekiel How. Left“ Con* “ (Stearns Collection.)
GOVERNMENT STOREHOUSE.
SUDBURY.
25
It is not strange that, at tlie time this report was
given, the troops had not been fully equipped. It
was not easy to provide for so many at once, but the
following record may indicate that the town had been
endeavoring to supply the deficiency since the preced-
ing fall, October 3, 1774;
To Capt. Ezekiel How for 20 guns and Bayonets 27—0 — 2
600 pounds Lead 8 — 16 — 0
Early on the morning of April 19th the Sudbury
people were astir. The news of the march of the
British proclaimed by Paul Revere came by a messen-
ger from Concord to Thomas Plympton, Esq., who
was a member of the Provincial Congress. In a little
more than a half hour after, and between four and
five o’clock in the morning, the bell rang and a mus-
ket was discharged as a signal for the soldiers to re-
port for duty. The West Side companies arrived at
the North Bridge about the time that the firing com-
menced there, and joined in the pursuit of the retreat-
ing British. In the memorable fight that followed
the town lost two men, viz. : Deacon Josiah Haynes
and Asahel Read. The former was eighty years old
and was killed at Lexington by a musket bullet. His
remains are buried in the “ Old Burying-Ground ” at
the centre. Asahel Read was son of Isaac Read and
a member of Nixon’s minute company.
It is said that he exposed himself rashly to the fire
of the enemy, and although warned to exercise more
caution, persisted in his venturesome conduct until
he fell.
Sudbury was represented by three companies at the
battle of Bunker Hill. These were commanded by
Sudbury captains and made up mainly of Sudbury
citizens. The town also furnished three regimental
officers,— Col. John Nixon, Major Nathaniel Cudworth
and Adj. Abel Holden, Jr. Capt. John Nixon of the
minute-men was promoted to the rank of colonel, and
was authorized, April 27th, to receive nine sets of
beating papers. Capt. Nathaniel Cudworth was made
major in the regiment of Col. Jonathan Brewer, who
received enlistment papers April 24th, and Abel
Holden, Jr., was made Colonel Nixon’s adjutant.
The three Sudbury companies were commanded by
Capts. Thaddeus Russell, Aaron Haynes and David
Moore. The companies of Russell and Haynes were
in Col. Brewer’s regiment, and that of Moore in Col.
Nixon’s. The total number in these companies was
one hundred and fifty-two. In the engagement of June
17th, these men were in a very exposed condition.
The regiments of Nixon and Brewer were at the left
of the American line, in the direction of the Mystic
River. A part of the men had no breastwork what-
ever to protect them. An effort was made to form a
slight breastw'ork of the newly-mown hay about there,
but the British advanced and they were forced to
desist. In their exposed position they held their
ground, and fought till the order came for them to re-
treat. The ammunition of the men in the redoubt
3
had failed and it was useless to protect the flank.
Both the colonels, Nixon and Brewer, were wounded
and the regiment of the former was one of the last to
leave the field. In Capt. Haynes’ company, two men
were killed, viz.: Corning Fairbanks, of Framingham,
and Joshua Haynes, of Sudbury. In Capt. Russell’s
company, Leblaus Jenness, of Deerfield, was slain.
As the war progressed Sudbury soldiers were still
in the service. Capt. Asahel Wheeler commanded a
company in the Ticonderoga campaign, and Capts.
Abel Holden, Caleb Clapp and Aaron Haynes had
command of Sudbury soldiers elsewhere. In 1778,
several companies were still in the field. Four of
these had 327 men, and were commanded as
follows: West Side men, Capt. Jonathan Rice and
Capt. Asahel Wheeler; East Side men, Capt. Na-
thaniel Maynard and Capt. Isaac Cutting.
Government Storehouses. — Besides other responsi-
bilities, the town had charge of some government
storehouses containing munitions of war, which the
Sudbury teamsters, from time to time, conveyed to the
front. Various receipts are still preserved which
were received by these teamsters. These buildings
were situated on the northerly part of Sand Hill, east
of the county road. Several squads of soldiers were
employed to guard them, and at one time Captain
Isaac Wood was commander of the guard. In 1777,
the following soldiers did guard duty ; “ Corporal
Robert Eames, Silas Goodenow Jr, Philemon Brown,
Elisha Harrington, JoiP Clark.” A guard of the
same number was there in 1778 and 79, but all the
men were not the same. The field in or near which
these buildings stood was used as a training-field in
former years, and at one time a militia muster was
held there. But now all trace even of the site has
become obliterated, and for years it has been a quiet
feeding place for cattle, and all is as peaceful there as
if the slow' pacing of the old Continental guard had
never been heard at Sand Hill. The town had a pop-
ulation of 2160, with about 500 ratable pools; and it is
supposed that, during the war, from 400 to 500 men
had some service either in camp or field. Of these
soldiers, one was brigadier-general, three were col-
onels, two w’ere majors, two were adjutants, two were
surgeons, twenty-four were captains and twenty-
nine were lieutenants. That the soldiers were in
places of peril is indicated by the following records of
casualties :
CASUALTIES TO SUDBCRY SOLDIERS.
Killed. — Deacon Josiah Haynes, Aged 80, April 19'>> 1775 : Asahel
Read April lOii* 1775 ; Joshua Haynes Jr, of Capt Aaron Hayne's Com-
pany, June »■ 1775, at Bunker Hill ; Sergeant Thadeus Moore, 1777, at
Saratoga ; Benjamin Whitney, — By accident —
Wounded. — Gen. John Nixon and Nathan Maynard, at Bunker Hill;
Lieut. Joshua Clapp, at Saratoga; Cornelius W'ood, Nahum Haynes,
Captain David Moore, Joshua Haynes ; Benjamin Barry, lost an arm in
Canada Expedition, 1776.
Died of Sickness. — Sergeant Major Jesse Moore ; Sergeant Samuel May-
nard, of the small pox at Quebeck with Arnold, 1776 ; Sergeant Hope-
still Brown, Sergeant Elijah Willis.
Al Ticonderoga.— Kusign Timothy Underwood, Oliver Sanderson,
Daniel Underwood, .James Puffer, Phinehas Gleason, Stephen Puffer, of
26
SUDBURY.
Capt Daniel Boeder’s Co., Col WeBb's Reg* died Oct3'^ ; Solomon Rice,
Timothy Rice, Joeiah Cutter.
Taken Prisoner and Never Heard of. — Thadeiia Harrington, Thomas
Dalrimple, Thomas Moore, Daniel Haynes.
Lost P'ivateering.^lsimc Moore, Silas Goodenow, Lemuel Goodenow,
Peletiah Parmenter.
Persons RV<o Met With Casualties (he Nature of \rhkh is Not Specitie<l. —
John Brewer, James Demander, John Bemis, Timothy Mossmun.
In closing this account of Sudbury’s military service
we will give some facts in the life of General Nixon.
iSketch of General Nixon. — Gen. John Nixon, was a
son of Christopher Nixon, who went to Framingham
about 1724, where seven children were born, of whom
John was the oldest. At an early age, being but a
mere boy, he entered the army, and at the instiga-
tion of older persons he left unlawfully, but clemency
was shown him and he was allowed to return to the
ranks. His subsequent carwr proved him to be a
true soldier.
In 1745, when he was but twenty years old, he was
in the Pepperell Expedition to Louisburg, and lieu-
tenant in Captain Newell’s company at Crown Point
in 1755. Later iu the war he served as captain. At
one time, when operating against the French forces,
he was led into an ambuscade and only forced his
way out with the loss of most of his men. As before
noticed, at the beginning of the Revolutionary War
he served as captain of a company of minute-men.
April 24, 1775, he received the commission of colonel.
He fought and was wounded at the battle of Bunker
Hill. He went with the army under Wtishington to
New York, and was promoted, August 9th, to briga-
dier-general. His promotion to the rank of general
of brigade was on recommendation of Washington,
who stated to Congress that Nixon’s military talents
and bravery entitled him to promotion. In his new
position he had, for a time, command of two regi-
ments and a force of artillery at Governor’s Island,
New York Harbor. August 27th he left there, and
subsequently operated with the army in the northern
campaign in New York State against Burgoyne.
When it was decided to advance against the latter.
General Gates ordered Nixon and two other com-
manders to make the attack. A cannon-ball passed
so near his head that the sight and hearing on one side
were impaired. After the surrender of Burgoyne,
General Nixon and some others were detailed to
escort the prisoners to Cambridge. About that time
he had a furlough of several months, in which time
he married his second wife. General Nixon was on
the court-martial — with Generals Clinton, Wayne and
Muhlenburg, and of which Gen. Benjamin Lincoln
was president — for the trial of General Schuyler for
the neglect of duty in the campaign of 1777, by which
Ticonderoga was surrendered. The trial was at the
request of General Schuyler, and by it he was fully
acquitted with the highest honors. In 1777, General
Nixon's brigade had headquarters for a time at Peeks-
kill, N. Y., and for a time in 1777, at Albany. On Sept.
12, 1780, he closed his military career by resigning his
commission as general, and retired to private life.
In considering the military service of the town in
the Revolutionary War, we have only considered a
part of her history. During that time important civ-
il transactions were taking place also. There were de-
privations to be endured by those at home; the coun-
try was burdened with debt, the currency was in a
very uncertain state, and, because of its depreciated
condition, there was luoie or less confusion in com-
mercial affairs. There was as much need of sagacity
on the part of the civilian in council, as of military
men in the field, to direct the affairs of State and
town. The town-meetings of those days were very
important occasions, and, unless the people met emer-
gencies there in a prompt and efficient manner, the
fighting element in the field could accomplish hut little.
In this respect the people of Sudbury were not deficient.
We have heard of no instance where a Tory spirit
was manifest nor where a patriotic purpose was w ant-
ing. During the war a large share of the town war-
rants set forth the needs of the county or town which
were caused by the war ; and the town-meeting that
follow ed Wits about sure to result in a generous re-
sponse to the demand.
Another man who wa.s prominent in military mat-
ters was Col. Ezekiel Howe. He belonged to the old
Howe family in Sudbury, and was a former proprie-
tor of the Red Horse Tavern.
In 1780 the town w’as divided. The part set off
was called East Sudbury, since Wayland.
In 1792 the town voted to sell the training-field in
the southeast part of the town, and “the Committee
formerly employed to sell the Work house” were ap-
pointed to attend to the work. The same year
measures were taken for the prevention of the small-
pox. The article concerning it in the warrant was
“To see if the town would admit the Small-Pox into
sd town by' Inoculation.” “ It passed in the nega-
tive.” The following year the selectmen were in-
structed “ to take measures to prevent the spreading
of tiie small-pox, and to prosecute the persons who
transgressed the laws respecting the disease.” In-
structions w’ere also given “ to make diligent search
to see if there were any persons who had been in-
oculated for small-pox contrary to law.”
On Oct. 5, 1795, the town again voted “to build a
new Meeting-House, that it should be erected on the
common land near to the present meeting-house, and
that the south and west cells of sd house should
occupy the ground on which the south and west cells
of the present meeting-house now stand upon, and
that ihe enlargement of the meeting-house should ex-
tend North and East. Voted to accept a plan drawn
by Capt. Thomson which plan is 60 feet by 52 with a
porch at one end with a steeple or spear on the top of
sd porch. Voted that the Commitee for building the
house should consist of nine persons, and that they
should receive nothing for their services.” In 1796
it was voted that a bell should be purchased for the
meeting-house. October, 1798, the building com-
F
i
I
THE HURLBUT PARSONAGE,
Sudbury Centre.
SUDBURY,
27
mittee presented to the town the summary of receipts
and expenditures which was six thousand twenty-five
dollars and ninety-three cents.
In 1812 the number of soldiers reported to be in
readiness was eighteen. “ Voted to give them $1.25
per day while in service and doing actual duty.” The
following persons from Sudbury were in service a
short time during the war: Aaron Hunt, Jonas
Tower, James B. Puffer, Josiah Puffer, John Carr,
Cyrus Willis, George Barker, Leonard Dutton, Otis
Puffer, Jesse Puffer, John Sawyer. Warren Moor was
in the naval service on a privateer, was taken prisoner
and spent some time in Dartmoor Prison.
In 1814, the town settled a new pastor, Rev. Jacob
Bigelow having become infirm. In 1810 Rev. Tim-
othy Hillard had been invited to preach as a candi-
date, and June 1, 1814, he became colleague pastor
at a salary of six hundred and fifty' dollars and five
hundred dollars to begin with.
Sept. 26, 1815, Mr. Hillard was dismissed. The
next year Rev. Mr. Hurlbut was called to the pastor-
ate. Sept. 12, 1816, Rev. Jacob Bigelow died. In
1823 a Methodist class was formed, which resulted in
the formation of a Methodist Episcopal Church. A
meeting-house was soon erected which was dedicated
in 1836.
March 5, 1832, the town voted to buy a town-farm.
In 1815, it voted to build a town-house.
In 1839, a new religious society was formed called
the Sudbury Evangelical Union Society. The same
year it voted to build a meeting house which was
completed and dedicated Jan. 1, 1840.
May 11, 1839, Rev. Rufus Hurlbut died.
March 2, 1841, Rev. Josiah Ballard was installed
his successor.
Jan. 5, 1845, Rev. Linus Shaw was installed as pas-
tor of the old parish, which position he retained till
his death, Jan. 5, 1866. Since his death the follow-
ing ministers have acted as pastors for the First
Parish: Revs. Bond, Dawes, Webber, Knowles, Will-
ard, Sherman, E. J. Young and Gilman. For several
years the church has had preaching but a small por-
tion of each year.
In 1852 Rev. Josiah Ballard was dismissed from the
Evangelical Union Church ; and the following per-
sons have been his successors : Reverends C. V. Spear,
E. Dickinson, W. Patterson, P. Thurston, G. A. Oviatt,
C. Fitts, D. W. Goodale, W. Richardson.
The Wadsworth Moitument. — An important
event that occurred early in the last half of the present
century was the erection of the Wadsworth Monu-
ment. February, 1852, a petition was presented to
the Legislature of this Commonwealth, in which, after
a brief rehearsal of the events in connection with the
Wadsworth fight, the petitioners say “that a small,
temporary monument was erected many years ago by
the Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, President of Harvard
College, over the grave of his father. Captain Wads-
worth, and his associates in arms. Said monument
being in a dilapidated condition, it is desirable that it
be rebuilt in a more durable form. Wherefore, at a
h'gal town-meeting held for that purpose, your peti-
tioners were chosen for a committee and instructed to
petition your Honorable body for aid in erecting a
suitable monument to the memory of said oflicers and
men.”
Signed, “ Drury Fairbank and thirteen others.’’
Accompanying this report is the resolve, “ That a
sum, not exceeding five hundred dollars in all, be and
the same is hereby appropriated towards defraying the
expense of repairing or rebuilding, in a substantial
manner, the monument in the town of Sudbury,
erected by President Wadsworth of Harvard College,
about the year 1730, to the memory of Captain Samuel
Wadsworth and a large number of other officers and
soldiers and others in the service of the colony, who
were slain upon the spot marked by the monument,
... in the defence of that town against the Indians,
the said sum to be expended under the direction of
His Excellency the Governor, in connection with a
committee of said town of Sudbury.”
, Agreeable to the foregoing resolve, at a legal town-
meeting held June 14, 1852, it was voted that Nahum
Thompson, Drury Fairbank, Ephraim Moore, Enoch
Kidder and J. R. Vose be a committee to superintend
the building of the Wadsworth Monument. It was
then voted to appropriate a sum of money, sufficient
to complete said monument and finish about the same,
out of any unappropriated money in the treasury,
said sum not to exceed five hundred dollars. His
Excellency George S. Bout well, then Governor of this
Commonwealth, in connection with the committee of
the town, “ procured a handsome monument, consist-
ing of three large square blocks of granite, one and
one-half, two, and three feet thick, raised one above
the other ; from the upper one of which rises a granite
shaft, tapering towards the top ; the whole being
twenty-one and one-half feet in height. On the front
of the centre block appears the following inscription :
“This monument is erected by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and the town of Sudbury, in grateful remembrance of the services and
suffeiing of the founders of the State, and especially in honor of
Capt. Samuel Waj)sworth, of Milton;
Capt. Bhocklebank, of Rowley ;
Lieut. Sharp, of Brookline ;
and twenty six others, men of their command, who fell near this spot,
on the 18th of April, 1676, while defending the frontier settlements
against the allied Indian forces of Philip of Pokanoket,
1852.”
(The date of the fight as above given is incorrect,
the true date being April 21st.)
Schools sixce 18o0.— lfads7z)or/k Academy— In
1856, measures were taken to establish an academy at
South Sudbury. A corporation was formed, the object
of which was to hold property, consisting of a build-
ing, land and suitable fixtures for educational and re-
ligious purposes. The design of the projectors of the
enterprise was to erect a building, the upper part of
28
SUDBUllY.
which could be used for a school, and the lower part
for social and religious services.
The' first meeting was held March 11, 1857, and the
following ofiicers were elected: President, Dr. Levi
Goodenough ; directors, Roland Cutler, Samuel
Putfer; treasurer, Samuel D. Hunt. The laud was
purchased ot Nichols B. Hunt, and the building was
erected by Arthur Bowen, of South Sudbury. It was
two stories high, had a colonnade iu front and faced
the west. It was named in honor of Captain Wads-
worth.
The school flourished for some years, until the de-
mand for its continuance ceased. The school-rooms
in it were then used for one of the town’s common
schools. A few years later the building was destroyed
by fire, and on its site was erected a Congregational
chapel in 1880.
Important changes took place during this period in
connection with the common schools. Old districts
w ere divided, and new ones were formed ; old school-
houses were moved and new ones built. A large share
of the territory of the Northwest District was taken
from Sudbury by the incorporation of Maynard ; but
in the districts that remained, the schools and school-
houses remained. The Centre School-house, that had
stood on the common, was moved to its present loca-
tion south of the Methodist meeting-house, and after
its removal was fitted up for the use of two schools,—
a primary and grammar. In 1868, the Lanham
School-house was moved from the road corners by the
Coolidge place to its present location, north of the
Boston and Worcester highway, on laud that once be-
longed to the Goodnow’ farm. In 1869, eight hundred
dollars was granted for repairs on the Southwest
School-house. In 1870, the town voted to build a
new school-house iu the Northeast District, to be lo-
cated at or near the junction of Pufier Lane and the
north road. The building was erected at a cost of
$2884.82. The same year measures were taken for
the removal of the old Pantry School-house, and the
result was that a new school-house was built in the
southerly portion of the Northeast District, and the
I’antry School-house was moved and became the depot
of the Framingham & Lowell Railroad. The new
school-house was located near the house of Alfred
Thompson, and cost $3825.23. About the same time
the town voted to build a school-house in the west
part of the town in a locality where, hitherto, there
had been none. It was erected on the Boston and
Berlin road, near the house of John Coughlin, at a
cost of $2508.77. The building committee rendered
their report to the town March 4, 1872, and at the
same meeting the committee appointed to number the
school districts reported that plates had been pro-
cured, lettered, and numbered, at a cost of $7.50, and
that commencing with the Centre District, which they
designated as number one, the committee next pro-
ceeded to the house in the Southwest District, which
they numbered two. Thence, passing to the right of
the centre of tfie town, the remaining houses were
numbered in their regular older, closing with the
new house near the residence of John Coughlin,
which was numbered six. The town opened a new
school at South Sudbury, and March 1, 1875, “ voted
to allow the proprietors of AVadsworth Hall $100 for
rent of said hall for school purposes.”
In 1881, a school-house was built iu the Wadsworth
District by C. O. Parmenter, at a cost of $2560.61. It
was placed on a lot containing a half acre of land,
which was purchased of Walter Rogers, and situated
on the south side of the Sudbury and Marlboro’ road,
about midway between the Massachusetts Central and
Old Colony Railroads.
The Goodxoav Library. — In 1862, the town re-
ceived the means of establishing a public library
through the generosity of John Goodnow, of Boston.
The gift came in the form ol'a bequest, which was set
forth in his will as follows :
“ First ; I give, devise, and bequeath unto my native
Town of Sudbury, in the County of Middlesex, the
sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars, to be appropriated
for the purpose of purchasing and keeping in order a
Public Library, for the benefit of the inhabitants of
that town.”
• “Second: I also give, devise and bequeath to the
said Town of Sudbury, three acres of land on the
northerly part of the Sudbury Tavern Estate, adjoin-
ing the laud of Howe Brown, beginning at the Meet-
ing-house road, and running with equal width with
Brown’s line to the brook, for the purpose of erecting
thereon a suitable building for a Library ; and the
further sum of Twenty-five Hundred Dollars for the
erection of such building; and whatever portion
of said land shall not be needed for the purposes of
said Library building, the said Town of Sudbury shall
have full power and authority to apply to any other
Town purposes, but without any power of alienation.”
“At a legal meeting held at Sudbury, on the seventh
day of April, 1862, the Town voted to accept the
bequest contained in the first and second clauses of
the last Will and Testament of John Goodnow, late
of Boston ; and Messrs. James Moore, John H. Da-
kin, and George Parmenter, Selectmen of the Town,
were appointed and authorized to receive and receipt
for the said bequest.” At the same meeting it was
voted to adopt the following resolution : “ Resolved
by the inhabitants of Sudbury, in Town meeting as-
sembled, that we accept with thankfulness the noble
bequests given to the town by the late John Goodnow
of Boston ; and that, as an evidence of our gratitude,
we pledge ourselves to endeavor to the utmost of our
ability, honestly and honorably to carry out the be-
nevolent intentions of the donor.”
July 14th, the town instructed the committee to
erect a building for the library given by John Good-
now, according to plan reported to them, the sum not
to exceed $2500. April 4, 1864, the committee re-
ported the cost of the building, including $32.43 for
SUDBURY.
29
setting out shade trees, to be $2691.35. The building
was enlarged several years ago by an addition on the
west; and at present there is little, if any, unoccu-
pied space. Four catalogues have been issued ; tbe
first, at the opening of the Library, when it contained
less than 2300 volumes ; the second in 1867 ; the third
in 1874, when it contained nearly 5000 volumes ; and
the fourth in 1887, when it contained over 9700.
The grounds about the library are ample, and taste-
fully laid out, consisting of a level lawn adorned wirh
shade trees. The building is reached by a circular
driveway extending from the county highway. In
the rear the land extends to Hop Brook.
John Goodnow, the donor of this library fund, was
a son of John and Persis Goodnow, who lived at Lan-
ham. He was born at Sudbury, Sept. 6, 1791, and
died in Boston, Dec. 24, 1861. His remains were
placed in his tomb at Sudbury Centre.
Railroads. — No railroad passed through the pres-
ent limits of the town until about the beginning of
the last period of the present century. About 1870
the Framingham & Lowell Railroad was begun, and
in the fall of 1871 the cars began passing through the
town. A station was built at North and South Sud-
bury and at the centre. The one at South Sudbury was
built a little northerly of the junction of the Sudbury
and Marlboro’ and Framingham highways, and has
since been moved.
July 22, 1870, it was voted “That the Town Treas-
urer be authorized and instructed to subscribe for,
take and hold Capital Stock in the Framingham and
Lowell Railroad Company to the amount of Thirty
thousand dollars. . . . Provided said Railroad shall
not be located in any place more than half a mile
from the last survey in the Town of Sudbury.”
The road has recently been leased to the “Old Col-
ony ” Company, and is now known as the “Northern
Branch of the Old Colony Road.” In 1887 every
station of this road within the limits of Sudbury was
burned. Recently new and more commodious ones
have been built on or near the sites of the former ones.
Massachusetts Central Railroad— In October, 1880,
the first rails were laid at South Sudbury on the track
of the Massachusetts Central Railroad, beginning at
its junction with the Framingham & Lowell road.
During the following winter the road was continued
towards Hudson on the west and Boston on the east;
and July 22, 1881, nine car-loads of rails passed over
the Central road, entering upon it at Waverly and
going to Hudson. April 20, 1881, a train of cars
passed over the road from Boston to Hudson ; and
October 1st, the same year, regular trains began to
run. May 16, 1883, the cars stopped running, and
commenced again Sept. 28, 1885, under the manage-
ment of the Boston & Lowell Railroad. Recently
the road was leased to the Boston & Maine Railroad
corporation. The Junction Station is a fine one, and
the town is now provided with excellent railroad
facilities.
The Civil War. — In the Civil War Sudbury was
fully abreast of the average New England town in its
promptness and zeal. The first war-meeting was a
citizens’ mass-meeting held in the Town Hall. The
people did not wait for the slow call of a warrant.
They assembled sjrontaneously to consult as to what
was required of them, with full confidence that in a
town-meeting to be subsequently called their acts
would be ratified and made legal. This meeting was
characterized by unanimity and enthusiasm. The
spirit of the heroes of ’75, when they were assembled
on Sudbury Common, with arms in their hands as
militia and minute-men, to start on their march to
Concord, was evinced on this April evening nearly a
century later, when the citizens of Sudbury were
again met to defend their homes and native laud.
The principal business of this meeting related to
the fitting out of the “ Wadsworth Rifle Guards.”
This was a company of State Militia which belonged
to Sudbury, and was attached to the Second Battal-
liou of Rifles, which was commanded by Major Eph-
raim Moore, of Sudbury, until his death, which oc-
curred some years previous. The following record of
a legal town-meeting, held April 29, 1861, sets forth
the business that was transacted at the mass-meeting,
and its ratification by the town :
“The town voted to furnish new uniforms for the
members of the Wadsworth Rifle Guards, Company
B, Second Battallion of Rifles, M. V. M., forthwith ;
also to furnish each member of said company with a
revolver, in case said company is called into the ser-
vice of the country, the revolvers to be returned to
the selectmen of the town when the holders of them
shall return home and be discharged from the service ;
also the uniforms to be returned to the town if the
members of the company are not held in service more
than three months. Voted also to pay to each mem-
ber of said company, in case they are called into ser-
vice, a sum of money in addition to their pay re-
ceived from the government, which shall make the
whole amount of their pay twenty dollars per month
while they are in such service, and that ten dollars of
the above sum be paid to each member whenever he
shall enter such service. Voted also that the families
of those who may leave shall be furnished with all
necessary assistance at the expense of the town, and
the business of those who may leave it shall be prop-
erly cared for by the town, and not allowed to suffer
by their absence.” “Voted, also, that each commis-
sioned officer of the company belonging in town be
presented with a suitable sword at the expense of the
town, and that the other commissioned officers not
belonging in town be furnished with the same, if they
are not otherwise provided for.” “ Voted to grant the
sum of one thousand dollars,” for the purposes above
mentioned.
The amount of money actually expended in fitting
out this company was $987. About the time of the
holding of the first war-meeting there were enlist-
30
SUDBUllV.
inenta into the Sudbury company, with the expecta-
tion of soon being called into the service for three
months, and the company for a time continued to
drill. No call, however, came for this term of ser-
vice. The emergency had been met, Washington for
the time was safe, and it was at length discovered
that the company as such would not be received into
any existing regiment for the term of three months.
The next demand was for soldiers to serve for three
years or the war, and the “ Wadsworth Rifle Guards ’’
were soon ordered to Fort Independence that they
might enlist in the Thirteenth Regiment for this
length of time. Twenty-five of them enlisted, and
July 30th the regiment left the State. This was the
largest number of Sudbury men who enlisted at any
one time, and they have the honor of being the first
Sudbury soldiers who enlisted from the town.'
From the time of the first enlistments there were
repeated calls for troops. “ Three hundred thousand
more ” became a familiar term, and at each new call
the town took measures to fill its quota. July 4,
1862, the President issued a call for volunteers for
three years, and July 28th the town “voted to pay a
bounty of one hundred and twenty-five dollars to each
volunteer who has enlisted or may enlist into the ser-
vice of the U. S. . . . 10 the number of fourteen.”
Also, “ Voted to instruct the selectmen to look after
and provide for any sick or wounded volunteer be-
longing to the Town of Sudbury.” In August of the
same year a call came for soldiers for nine months’
service; and Aug. 19, 1862, the town “voted to pay
the sum of one hundred dollars to each person who
A’oluntarily enlists into the service of the United
States for the term of nine months, on or before the
first day of September next, to a number not exceed-
ing the quota of their town.”
Dec. 17, 1862, the town voted to fill up their quota
by paying one hundred and forty dollars bounty.
December 22d the committee reported at a town-
meeting held in the evening, “ that they had pro-
cured sixteen men to fill up the town’s quota for the
military service of the United States, that said men
had been accepted and sworn into the said service, and
had been properly accredited to the town of Sudbury,
and that said committee paid the sum of one hundred
and thirty dollars for each man.”
Oct. 17, 1863, the President issued another call for
three hundred thousand men, and December 7th the
town “voted to authorize the selectmen to use all
proper and legal measures to fili up the town’s quota
of volunteers, agreeable to the call of the President of
the United States for three hundred thousand volun-
teers, dated Oct. 17, 1863.”
March 14, 1864, the President issued a call for two
hundred thousand men, and March 22d the town ap-
pointed a committee “ to take all proper and legal
'A sketch of Sudbury soldiers, and of the regiments in which they
enlisted is given in Hudson’s “History of Sudbury.”
measures to fill the quota of the town ” under this
call. June 9th the town voted to “ raise money suffi-
cient to pay one hundred and twenty- five dollars to
each volunteer who shall enlist into the service of the
United States and be duly accredited as a part of the
quotaof the Town of Sudbury in anticipation of a call
from the President to recruit the armies now in the
field, and that the selectmen be reipiired to use all
proper measures to {irocure said volunteers.” It was
voted also “that the selectmen be authorized to pro-
cure not less than seventeen men.” At the same
meeting “the committee appointed by the town at a
meeting held March 22, 1864, to take all proper and
legal measures to fill the quota of the town under
the call of the President of the United States for two
hundred thousand men, dated March 14, 1864, re-
ported that the town’s quota was ten men ; that there
had been seven men accredited to the town by volun-
teer enlistment at an expense of nine hundred and
ten dollars, and that the remaining three were
drafted and accepted.”
Nov. 8, 1864, it was “voted to grant the free use
of the Town Hall for the Soldiers’ Aid Society.”
This was an organiz ition formed in the war period
for the purpose of assisting the soldiers. May 29,
1865, it was “voted to refund all money contributed
by individuals to fill the quotas of the town of Sud-
bury in the year 1864.”
List of Casualties. — The fatal casualties that oc-
curred to persons who were accredited to or natives of
Sudbury, as we have found them recorded in the
town-book or the adjutant-general’s printed report,
are as follows ;
Killed or mortally wounded in battle. — Horace Sanderson, John For-
syth, Edwin S. Parmenter.
Died in service o/disease or hardship incident to army life. — John P. Hud-
son, Curtis Smith, George T. Dickey, Abel 11. Dakin, Thomas Corcoran,
Uartsou D. Sinclair, Thomas Smith, Cyrus E. Darker.
Summary of Service. — According to Schouler,
in his “ History of Massachusetts in the Civil War,”
Sudbury furnished 168 men, which was eleven over
and a’oove all demands. He stales that “ four were
commissioned officers. The whole amount of money
appropriated and expended by the town on account
of the ivar, exclusive of State aid, was $17,575. The
amount of money raised and expended by the town
during the war for State aid to soldiers’ families, and
repaid by the Commonwealth, was $6,199.18.”
“The population of Sudbury in 1860 was 1691 ; the
valuation, $1,043,091. The population in 1865 was
1703; the valuation, $1,052,778. The selectmen in
1861 and 1862 were James Moore, John H. Dakin>
George Parmenter; in 1863, A. B. Jones, George
Goodnow, H. H. Goodnough ; in 1864 and 1865,
Thomas P. Hurlbut, Charles Hunt, Walter Rogers.
The tow’n clerk during all the years of the war was J.
S. Hunt. The town treasurer during the years 1861,
1862 and 1863 was Edwin Harrington; in 1864 and
1865, S. A. Jones.
RESIDENCE OF Hon. C F. GERRY,
Sudbury Centre.
V
4
SUDBURY.
31
Shortly after the war Sudbury’s rank among the
towns of the county in population was the thirty-
ninth. In 1776 it was the only town in Middlesex
County having a population of 2000.
Bi-Centennial. — April 18, 1876, the town cele-
brated what was supposed to be the two hundredth
anniversary of Wadsworth’s Fight at Green Hill.
At early dawn a salute was fired, and a procession of
“ Antiques and Horribles ” paraded, making a trip to
South Sudbury. Later in the day a procession of the
citizens, including the school children, was formed and
marched to Wadsworth Monument, which was deco-
rated with the national colors. Services were held at
the Unitarian Church. The oration was delivered by
Professor Edward A. Young, of Harvard College.
The George Goodnow Bequest. — In November,
1884, it was voted to “ accept of a donation of Ten
Thousand Dollars offered the Town of Sudbury, by
George Goodnow, of Boston, for the purpose of es-
tablishing a fund, the income of which he desires to
be used by the selectmen of said Town for the time
being, to assist such citizens of the Town who are
not, at the time of receiving the assistance, paupers,
but who may for any cause be in need of temporary
or private assistance. By motion of Rev. George A.
Oviatt, the town voted that, “ we do now as a town
by vote express our hearty thanks to the donor of
this generons Fund, assuring him of our apprecia-
tion of his love of his native town, and equally of his
noble desire to render aid to the needy therein. And
may his sunset of life be bright to the last, and ter-
minate in the day of endless light and blessedness.”
March, 1885, a committee consisting of Capt. James
Moore, Jonas S. Hunt, Esq., and Horatio Hunt was
appointed “ to confer with Rev. A. S. Hudson in re-
gard to a publication of the History of Sudbury.”
April 6th, of the same year, ihe committee reported to
the town the result of their interview. This was in
part that the work be devoted to the annals of the
town, but not any part of it to genealogy as it is usu-
ally inserted in books of this kind.
April 2, 1888, the town “ voted to publish not less
than 750 copies of the History as written and com-
piled by Rev. A. S. Hudson, and to pay him $1500
for his services in writing and superintending the
publication of the w’ork ; and that the Trustees of the
Goodnow Library be a committee associated with him
to have charge of the publication of the work.” The
town also voted at the same meeting $1500 for the
publication.
Arrangements for the 250th Anniversary
Celebration. — At a meeting held November, 1888,
the town voted to petition the Legislature for permis-
sion, to grant money to be expended in the observ-
ance of the 250th Anniversary of the Incorporation
of Sudbury. Permission having been obtained, at a
subsequent meeting the sum of $300 was appropriated,
and a committee was appointed to make and carry
out such arrangements as would be appropriate to
the proposed celebration. The committee consisted
of Jonas S. Hunt, Rufus H. Hurlbut and Edwin A.
Powers, who were to co-operate with a committee
from Wayland, and the joint committee were to act
for the two towns.
The joint committee met at Sudbury and organ-
ized with J. S. Hunt for chairman, and R. T. Lom-
bard, Esq., of Wayland for secretary. The following
outline of a plan was proposed, and left open, subject
to change if deemed expedient before the day arrived.
1. A gathering of the children of the two towns at
Wayland on the morning of September 4th, when
entertainment and a collation would be furnished.
2. A return by railroad at noon to South Sudbury,
when a procession will form and march to Sudbury
Centre.
3. Dinner in the Town Hall.
4. Speaking from a platforn on the Common, if the
day is fair, and if not, in the Unitarian Church.
5. Fireworks and music in both towns, with ring-
ing of bells morning and night.
It was voted to extend an invitation to Hon. Homer
Rogers, of Boston, to act as president of the day; to
Richard T. Lombard, Esq., of Wayland, to serve as
chief marshal, and to Rev. Alfred S. Hudson, of Ayer,
to deliver the oration.
Ample opportunity was to be provided for addresses
by speakers from abroad, who are expected to be
present and assist at the celebration.
The programme as thus outlined was carried out. A
large company gathered in the morning at Wayland,
where the school children listened to addresses in the
Town Hall by Rev. Robert Gordon and William
Baldwin, Esq. A collation was then served to the
children, after which a part of the large company
w'ent to South Sudbury, at which place a procession
was formed which moved about one o’clock to Sud-
bury Centre. The following is a description of the
exercises at Sudbury as given in a report by a Boston
daily newspaper dated September 5, 1889 :
The procession from South Sudbury to Sudbury
Centre was quite an imposing one ; in fact, the occa-
sion quite outgrew the expectation of its originators.
The houses all along the way and through the town
generally were profusely decorated.
“ R. T. Lombard, chief marshal ; E. H. Atwood and A. B. Rogers,
aids.
Brum Major, Cyrus Roak.
Fitchburg brass band, 23 pieces J. A.Patz leader
Betachmentof tlie Grand Army Post, under E. A. Carter.
Boody Hook and Ladder Company of Cochituate, L. Bumphy com-
manding.
J. M. Bent Hose Company of Cochituate, B. W. Mitchell commanding.
Capt. B. W. Ricker, with 45 mounted men.
Mounted Pequot Indians from Wayland, ‘‘Spotted Thunder” commaud-
ing.
Carriages containing invited guests, Hon. G. A. Marden, State Treas-
urer ; Hon. Homer Roger.s, President Boston Board of Aldermen
and president of the day.
Ex-Gov. George S. Boutwell.
Rev. Alfred F. S. Hudson, historian of the town.
Hon. C. F. Gerry, Edward B. McIntyre, lion. Levi Wallace, Judge
32
SUDBIJIIV.
North, Middlesex Distrirt Court, Hon. E. Dana Bancroft, Hon
James T. Joslin of llndson. Rev. Brooke Herford.
Wadsworth Guards.
Thirty carriages containing citizens and guests.*'
Arriving at Sudbury, a half an hour was given for
rest, the Unitarian Church being decorated very
handsomely and turned over to the people as a rest-
ing and fraternizing spot.
The dinner was gotten up by Elgin R. James, of
Waltham, who expected to feed about 500 people, but
found 600 hungry ones demanding admission. The
dinner was first-class in every respect, and after doing
justice to it the party repaired to tlie green in front
of the Town Hall, upon which seats had been ar-
ranged and a very tasty stage erected, covered with
bunting and surmounted by banners and glory flags
and bearing the inscription “ 1639 Quarter Millennial
1889.”
On the desk was the original Bible presented to the
First Church and printed at Edinburgh by James
Watson, printer to the King’s most excellent majesty,
in the year MDCCXXIl.
After music by the band. Rev. D. W. Richardson,
ot Sudbury, invoked divine blessing.
Jonas S. Hunt, chairman of the Executive Com-
mittee, welcomed fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers,
not forgetting “ cousins and aunts,” and took great
pleasure in introducing a Sudbury boy as president
of the day — Hon. Homer Rogers, of Boston.
After some very appropriate remarks, Mr. Rogers
introduced the orator of the day. Rev. A. S. Hudton.
Following the oration a poem was read by a young
lady, which was written for the occasion by James
Sumner Draper, of Wayland. Short addresses fol-
lowed by George A Marden, of Lowell, the State
Treasurer, who spoke for the United States and the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Hon. William N.
Davenport, of Marlboro’ ; James T. Joslin, of Hud-
son ; Ex-Governor George S. Boutwell ; Rev. Edward
J. Young, formerly a professor at Harvard College,
who spoke for the clergy of 1639 ; Rev. Brooke Her-
ford, of Boston, who spoke for “ Old England,” and
W. H. Baldwin, who, spoke for Wayland. The day
closed with a concert on the Common by the Maynard
Brass Band, and fireworks in the evening.
Buryixg-Grounds. — Sudbury has at present five
cemeteries within its limits — one at South Sudbury,
one at North Sudbury, and three at the centre. The
oldest one is at the centre. It is situated in the north-
easterly part of the village, along the Concord Road,
east of the Methodist Church. In this old graveyard
for more than a century and a half w'hat was mortal
of many of the west side inhabitants was laid. Here
are the names of Haynes, Hunt, Parmenter, Goode-
now, Browne, Moore, Howe, Bent, Rice, Richardson,
Willis, Wheeler, Jones, Puffer, Hayden, Walker and
a host of others long familiar in Sudbury. Unlike
some other old graveyards, the stones here are numer-
ous; but though many, they do not mark ail the
I
graves, which nearly cover the entire space of that
“ thickly-peopled ground.” The enclosure is encom-
passed by a substantial stone wall, which within a few
years has been well repaired. The place has but
little shrubbery and few trees. Just beyond the road
was the pound, near bj" or on the site of which
the hearse-house now stands. Within the past few
years this yard has been but little used. Now and
then the ground has been broken as the fragment of
some ancient family has found its resting-place among
a group of old graves ; but these instances are fewer
and farther between as time passes by, and it will
probably soon cease to be used for new burials, but
remain with unbroken turf until the morning of the
resurrection. It is a place of sacred association, and
as such has been regarded by the town’s people; es-
pecially was it much visited by them during the inter-
mission between the Sabbath services, when two ser-
mons were preached in one day. Then they visited
this quiet spot, read epitaphs, talked of the past, and
derived, it may be, such lessons from the suggestive
scenes as were a moral and spiritual help. Along the
northerly side of the yard is the Sudbury and Con-
cord highway ; and ranged beside this are family
tomb®. One of these is that of Mr. John Goodnow,
the donor of the Goodnow Library. Upon others
are names of old Sudbury families. Within the yard
is only one tomb and that is underground and about
westerly of tbe Plympton monument, and surmounted
with a small brick-work upon which lies a slate stone,
with these words :
HOPESTILL BROWN, ESQ., TOMBE,
This tomb contains the remains of descendants of
Dea. William Brown, an early grantee, who once re-
sided near Nobscot. The tomb wms years ago nearly
full, the last burial being about 1852. This burying-
ground contains several marble monuments of some
considerable size. The first one was erected in 1835,
[ and is commemorative of the Plympton family.
I Mount Wadiworth Cemetery.— Th.\fi cemetery is at
I South Sudbury, and formerly belonged to the Israel
Howe Browne estate. It w’as originally quite small,
and has been enlarged several times. The entrance
was formerly south of Dr. Levi Goodenough’s hou.-^e
I and joined his grounds, but it was changed about the
time the Wadsworth monument was erected, and now
leads from the avenue that goes to the monument.
The oldest graves are near the centre of the yard.
Probably for the first few years after the lot was laid
out burials were less numerous than a little later, as
the associations connected with the more ancient
I church-yard in the east part of the town would nat-
I urally lead to its somewhat continued use by the west
side inhabitants.
A few years ago there was a small growth of trees
along the Avenues and about more or less of the lots,
but they were recently removed lest they should de-
SUDBURY.
face the atones. The arch at present over the east
entrance to the cemetery was erected in 1879, by Mr.
Israel H. Browne over the west entrance. It was
completed July, 1879.
Soon after the death of Mr. Israel H. Browne, the
former owner of the cemetery grounds, his heirs sold
their interest in the property to five persons, who
conveyed it to the present Mount Wadsworth Cor-
poration soon after its organization.
In the northeasterly corner, as it was about 1850,
was the original Wadsworth grave. Becaus-e of the
former existence of that grave and the present Wads-
worth monument, this cemetery is of more than ordi-
nary importance, and will long be visited by those
interested in (he history of Captain Wadsworth and
his men.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery. — The third cemetery laid
out in Sudhury is at the Centre, and called Mount
Pleasant. As its name suggests, it is pleasantly situ-
ated on a hill, and is just north of the Common. The
original name was “Pine Hill,” and later it took the
name of “ Pendleton Hill.”
The New Cemetery. — Near Mount Pleasant is a new
cemetery that is owned by the town. It was pur-
chased a few years ago, and has an entrance on the
south to the county road, near the tomb of John
Goodnow.
North Sudbury Cemetery. — The North Sudbury
Cemetery is situated upon a sunny knoll, and con-
sists of one and six-tenths acres of land, formerly
owned by Reuben Haynes, and purchased by a com-
pany for a cemetery in 1843. It is about one-eighth
of a mile from North Sudbury Village, on the country
road leading from Framingham to Concord.
The Wayside Inn. — On the Boston road through Sud-
bury is the old “ Howe Tavern,” or the famous “ W ay-
side Inn ” of Longfellow. It was built about the be-
ginning of the eighteenth century by David Howe, who,
in 1702, received of his father, Samuel Howe, a son of
John, one of the early grantees, a tract of 130 acres in
the “New Grant” territory. During the process of
constructing the house, tradition says, the workmen
resorted for safety at night to the Parmenter Garrison,
a place about a half-mile away. The safety sought was
probably from the raids of Indians, who, long after
Philip’s War closed, made occasional incursions upon
the borders of the frontier towns. At or about the
time of its erection it was opened as a public-house,
and in 1846, Colonel Ezekiel Howe, of Revolutionary
fame, put up the sign of the “ Red Horse,” which gave
it the name that it went by for years, namely, the
“ Red Horse Tavern.” In 1796, Colonel Ezekiel
Howe died, and his son Adam took the place and
kept the tavern for forty years. At the death of
Adam it went into the hands of Lyman, who contin-
ued it as an inn until near 1866, about which time it
passed out of the hands of an owner by the name of
Howe. In the earlier times this house was of consid-
erable consequence to travelers. It was quite capa-
38
cious for either the colonial or the provincial period,
and was within about an easy day’s journey to Mas-
sachusetts Bay. The road by it was a grand thorough-
fare westward. Sudbury, in those years, was one ol
the foremost towns of Middlesex County in popula-
tion, influence and wealth, while the Howe family
took rank among the first families of the country
about. The seclusion of this quiet spot to-day is not
indicative of what it was in the days of the old stage
period, and when places since made prominent by the
passage of a railroad through them were almost
wholly or quite unknown. In the times of the wars
against the Indians and French it was a common
halting-place for troops as they marched to the front
or returned to their homes in the Bay towns. It was
largely patronized by the up-country marketers, who,
by their frequent coming and going, with their large,
canvas-topped wagons, made the highway past this
ordinary look like the outlet of a busy mart. Stages
also enlivened the scene. The sound of thg post-
horn, as it announced the near approach of the coach,
was the signal for the hostler and housemaid to pre-
pare refreshment for man and beast. In short, few
country taverns were better situated than this to gain
patronage in the days when few towns of the province
were better known than old Sudbury. This place,
noted, capacious and thickly mantled with years, is
thus fitly described by Mr. Longfellow, —
“ As ancient is this hostelry
As any in the land may be,
Built in the old Colonial day,
When men lived in a gn^ander way
W’^ith ampler hospitality;
A kind of old Hobgoblin Hall,
Now somewhat fallen to decay.”
There is now about the place an aspect of vacancy,
as if something mighty were gone, and very appropri-
ate are still further words of the poet Longfellow :
“ Round this old-fashioned, quaint abode
Beep silence reigned, save when a gust
W’ent rushing down the country road,
And skeletons of leaves and dust,
A moment quickened by its breath,
Shuddered, and danced their dance of death,
And, through the ancient oaks o’erhcad,
Mysterious voices moaned and fled.
With weather-stains upon the wall,
And stairways worn, and crazy doors,
And creaking and uneven floors,
And chimneys huge and tiled and tall.”
The region about Ihis old ordinary corresponds to
the building itself, reminding one of the Sleepy Hol-
low among the highlands of the Hudson described by
Washington Irving. It is on the edge of the plain
lands of the Peakham District, just at the foot of the
northernmost spur of Nobscot Hill. To the west-
ward, a few rods, is the upper branch of Hop Brook,
with its faint fringe of meadow lands, over which the
county road gently curves. In the near neighbor-
hood are patches of old forest growth, whose tall
34
SUDBUKV.
trees tower upward like sentinels in the view of
passers along the county road. Indeed, so aptly does
Mr. Longfellow describe the place where the house is
situated that we quote further from his beautiful
verse :
“ A region of repose it seems,
A place of slnnibcr ami of dreams,
Remote among the wooded hills I
For there no noisy railroad speeds
Its torch-race, scattering smoke and gleeds.”
Along the highway to the eastward, in the direction
of South Sudbury, which from this place is about two
miles distant, are still standing several ancient oaks.
These trees were, doubtless, standing and had consid-
erable growth when lot number forty-eight was of the
town’s common land, and owned by Tantamous and
others who signed the Indian deed in 1684, by which
the new grant lands were conveyed. Beneath them
Washington and his retinue parsed, and perhaps
Wadsworth and Brocklebank when they sped in haste
to save Sudbury from Philip, and a long procession of
travelers, since the opening of the wmy to Marlboro’
from the Hop Brook mill, has passed under their
venerable shade. Soldiers to Ticonderoga and Crown
Point, and the various expeditions to the west and
north in the Revolutionary and French and Indian
Wars, have halted in their march as they approached
this picket-line of ancient oaks that were deployed at
the approach to the inn.
The Sudbury Riv^er. — The Indian name of this
stream was “ Musketahquid,” meaning grassy mead-
ows or grassy brook. It was also called the “ Great
River.” It takes its rise in Hopkinton and Westboro’,
the branch from the latter town having its source in
a large cedar swamp. Passing through Framingham,
it enters Sudbury on the southeast, and forms the
boundary line between it and Wayland. After leav-
ing the town, it runs through Concord and borders on
Lincoln, Carlisle and Bedford, and empties into the
Merrimack River at Lowell. It is made use of for mill
purposes at Framingham and Billerica.
Within the present century iron ore dug in town
w’as laden in boats at the Old Town Bridge and taken
to Chelmsford.
I'he width of this river where it enters the town is
about fifty feet; where it leaves the town it is about
two hundred feet; at the latter place it is one hun-
dred and fourteen feet above low water-mark at Bos-
ton. Its course is very crooked, seldom running far
in one direction, but having many sharp curves. The
banks are quite bare of shubbery, except the occasion-
al bunches of water brush that here and there assist
in tracing its course. Fish abound in this river, of
which the more useful and commonly sought are the
pickerel {Esox reticulafus), perch {Perea jlavescens),
bream or sunfish [Pomolis vulgaris), horned {Pime lo-
duscatus), and common eel {Anguilla tenuirostris).
The kind most sought for the sport in taking is the
pickerel. Indeed, Sudbury River has become some-
what noted for the pastime it affords in pickerel fish-
ing. Specimens w’eighing a half dozen pounds are
sometimes caught.
There is an old tradition in connection with the
river meadows given as follows by an old inhabitant :
“ An old tinker used to go about the country with his
kit of tools, mending brass and other wares, and wassup-
poskl to have accumulated some money, and, the say-
ing was, turned up missing, and no one seemed to know
what had become of him. Very soon afterwards per-
sons passing near the meadows could distinctly hear
the old tinker busy at his work tinkering, and the
sound would follow along beside them in the evening,
but would not pass beyond the meadows, and my
grandmother used to tell many stories to the younger
ones of the family how bevies of young people would
go down to the meadows to hear the old tinker — per-
haps he would not be at work, and some one would
say, ‘ I guess the old tinker isn’t at work to-night,’
and in an instant, very like, he would strike up, and
then they would surround him — but no — he would
strike up in another place and so forth and so on.
Sometimes they would ask or suggest that he had got
out of brass, and the sound would come as if he had
thrown a whole apronful. This thing lasted for'years,
at last an old lady died near the meadows, and the
sound followed along beside the funeral procession
as long as it w ent beside the meadows, and this was
the only instance of his working in the day-time, and
no tinkering was heard afterward.”
The horned pout may be caught almost at the rate
of a peck in an evening, when the water and season
are right. The fisherman simply ties his boat to a
stake in a suitable place, perhaps some quiet, snug
nook where the waters are still, and on a warm night
in late spring or summer, between the mosquitoes and
pouts his time will be fully occupied.
In early times the river abounded in fish now un-
known in its waters. Of these were the alewives, sal-
mon and shad. The obstructions caused by the dam
at Billerica long ago prevented these valuable fishes
from ascending the stream, and petitions were early
presented to the General Court to have the obstruc-
tion removed on account of the fisheries. Shattuck
informs us that at certain seasons fish officers of Con-
cord went to the dam at Billerica to see that the sluice-
w’ays were properly opened to permit the fish to pass,
and he states that the exclusive right to the fisheries
was often sold by the towm; the purchasing party
having a right by his purchase to erect what is called
a weir across the river to assist in fish-taking.
A chief characteristic of this river is its slow-mov-
ing current, which in places is scarcely perceptible
at a casual glance. The slowness of the current is
supposed to be occasioned by various causes, any
one of which may, perhaps, be sufficient, but all
of which at present doubtless contribute something to
it. The chief reason is its very small fall, which may
be occasioned by both natural and artificial causes.
MEMORIAL CHURCH,
South Sudbury.
See page 35.
SUDBURY.
35
INCORPORATION OF THK UNION F.VANGEUICAL
CHURCH, AND ERECTION OF A MEETING-HOUSE,;
AT SOUTH SUDBURY. !
!
In 1889 the Union Evangelical Church received
a legacy from the estate of Miss Mary Wheeler,
of South Sudbury, and on May 14th, 1890, it be- 1
came an incorporated organization, taking the
name of “ The Memorial Church,” in memory of
the donor of the legacy. Soon after the incorpora-
tion of the church, the “ society ” or “ parish ”
transferred to it the Congregational Chapel at
South Sudbury, and the land upon which it stood,
together with the Moses Ilurlbut estate adjoining
to it, which had been used as a parsonage. On the
19th of May, the church voted to build a new
meeting-house on the land lately conveyed to it by
the parish. A contract for the building was made
with Wells & Tuttle, of South Framingham, and
work was commenced on the structure the same
year, and so far completed that, by the middle of
the following December, the bell and organ were
moved from the old meeting-house and placed in
the new one. The money appropriated for the
work was the “Wheeler Fund,” together with;
several thousand dollars that were raised by sub- [
scription. The amount of money received from ;
the Mary Wheeler legacy was $4,500. The sum |
actually donated, or specified in the will, was $5,- j
000. The reduction of $500 was occasioned by ,
some complications that occurred in the settlement i
of the estate.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
Miss Mary Wheeler was a daughter of Wm. j
Wheeler, and a native of Sudbury. The “ Wheeler '
Place,” where her father formerly lived, is situated
near the South Sudbury and Marlboro’ road, at a
point a short distance west of the Old Colony R.
R. There for years Miss Wheeler resided, but in
her later life she lived in a cottage just south of
the grounds of the Congregational Chapel, with
her brother Willard and an elder sister. She was
the last surviving member of a family of nine
children, seven of whom were boys She died at
her home at South Sudbury, and was buried at
“ Mt. Wadsworth Cemetery.” Miss Wheeler was
for many years a member of the “ Union Evangeli-
cal Church of Sudbury. She was a quiet person
of a somewhat retiring nature, and quite unassum-
ing in her ways. In conduct she was an exemp-
lary Christian, and one of those persons about
whom nothing but good was said. She was indus-
trious and prudent, and in her later life seldom
went from her home. She was exceedingly gentle
in her disposition, and usually wore a smile when
on the street, and the influence of her quiet pres-
ence, like the bright sunlight, tended to illume the
object that it touched. Before the infirmities of
age and the weakness of disease came upon her, she
was habitually present at the religious gatherings
of her church, and endeavored, by her good words
and works, to assist in the maintenance of the
Master’s cause.
Truly it may be said of her. “ Tho’ dead she yet
speaketh.”
NEW SCHOOL-HOUSE.
In 1890, the town voted to buihl a new school-
house. 'Fhe land selected for the building was
upon the “ Wheeler-IIaynes estate,” situated on
the road from Sudbury Centre to Wayland. The
land was so disposed of by the will of Elisha W.
Haynes that it was with some delay that a legal
right to appropriate it for a school building was
obtained. The right was at length secured, and
during the year work was commenced, and a com-
modious building for either high or grammar-
school purposes has been erected. One of the con-
tractors was Fitz Auburn Robinson, of Weston,
Mass., a native of Sudbury. About $9,000 were
appropriated for the building. The same year the
town voted to place a copy of the “ History of
Sudbury ” in each of the public schools, and, by
recommendation of the committee, classes were
formed for the study of it. The town also voted
to give to each person in town, who had been a
resident and paid taxes for three years, one copy of
the History of Sudbury.” The work of erecting
the school building was entrusted to the Board of
School Committee, which was composed of .Jonas
S. Hunt, Frank M. Bowker and George E. Har-
rington.
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
April 22, 1890, the “ Goodman Village Improve-
ment Society ” was organized at Sudbury Centre,
the object of which was to beautify the streets, and
introduce and promote such improvements as the
36
SUDBURY.
good of the community might require and the
means of the society would admit of. A variety
of work was undertaken and accornplislied ; trees
were set out by tlie wayside ; a “ band-stand ” was
erected on tlie common, and a watering-trough was
placed at the corner of the roads, The watering-
trough is of stone, and erected by James Luman
Willis, a Sudbury citizen. Its cost was about
$100.
The society was incorporated soon after its
formation.
According to the town records, of the eighteen
deaths recorded for the year ending March 3d,
1890, eight of the deceased persons were over 70
years of age, five were over 80, and two were over
90.
In 1890, a Board of Trade was organized at
South Sudbury.
I
ORTHODOX MEETING-HOUSE,
Sudbury Centre.
See page 27.
PART II.
Unitarian Church,
Built 1815.
THE ANNALS
OF
WAYLAND, MASS.
The history of thy hills and dells
Is quaint and grand;
Each careless sod or mantling turf
On some old grave
Is greener, for the memories fond
That I'ound it wreathe.
Thy woody pathways wind among
The silent sites of ancient homes,
Where mosses gray, and ashes cold.
Are relics of the days of old.
When on the hearthstones of our sires
Were blazing forth their cheerful fires.
The Authob.
AV^Y L Y N 13.
18 3 5.
Wayi-and was formerly a part of Sudl)ury. It
was set apart as a town in 1780, under tlie name of
East Sudbury, and took its present name in 183.5.
It is situated on the Central Massachusetts Rail-
road, about fifteen miles from Boston, and lies
mostly on the east side of Sudbury River. It is
bounded on the north by Lincoln, east by Weston,
south by Natick and west by Sudbury. It lias two
villages — Wayland Centre and Cochituate.
The town is pleasantly situated, and its rural
quiet, beautiful drives and varied scenery render it
peculiarly attractive as a summer residence. Here
the settlers of Sudbury first located, and nearly
two-thirds of the land first granted them by the
General Court for the township of Sudbury was
within the territory now Wayland. As the acts
relative to the obtaining of the land have been
given in connection with the history of Sudbury in
another part of this work, it is only necessary to
say that on petition of those proposing the set-
tlement, the Court allowed them a grant of land,
which was purchased of the aboriginal owners, and
for which a deed was given in due form. Besides
the large tract of land granted the settlers collec-
tively, there were several smaller tracts allowed to
individuals. This is true of some of the land about
Cochituate Pond, which was a ))art of the tract
granted the widow of Rev. Jesse Glover. Another
grant was that of the “ Dunster Farm,” sometimes
called the Pond Farm.” This was a tract of GOO
acres granted, in 1640, to Henry Dunster, the first
president of Harvard College, who, in 1641, mar-
ried Mrs. Elizabeth Glover. This land was sit-
uated southeast of the “Glover Farm,” and had
Cochituate Lake for its western boundary. Be-
yond this farm, easterly, was a tract of 200 acres
extending towards the Weston town bound, and
called the “ Jennison Farm.” This was granted, in
1638, to Capt. William .Jennison, of Watertown, for
service that he rendered in the Pequot War. It
was laid out in 1 646.
Another grant was to Mr. Herbert Pelham, Sept.
4, 1639. This land grant was situated in the pres-
ent territory of Wayland, and was what is called
“The Island.” For many years it was mostly
owned and occupied by the Heards. Mr. Pelham
came to America in 1638, and for a time lived at
Cambridge. Savage states that he was a gentleman
from the county of Lincoln, and when in London,
where he may have been a lawyer, was a friend of
tbe colony.
The Indian owner of all these land tracts was Kai'-
to, alias Goodman, whose wigwam was at Goodman’s
Hill, about a mile west of Sudbury River. 'I'he
territory was especially attractive to the settlers
because of the broad meadow lands along the river.
These in early times afforded bountiful crops of
hay, which were so serviceable to the jrossessors
that “ they took in cattle for wintering.” 'riie up-
lands were more or less covered with heavy timber
growth. “ Pine Plain ” and “ Pine Brook,” early
names of localities easterly of Wayland Centre, prob-
ably derived their names from the heavy growth of
pine forest about there; and “Timber Neck,” just
south of Mill Brook, is suggestive of what the soil
there produced.
At tbe time of English occu[)ation the Indian
population was scant ; there are, however, indica-
tions that at some time considerable numbers dwelt
in the neighborhood of Cochituate Pond.
Tradition locates an Indian burial-place near tbe
old graveyard northwesterly of tbe centre of the
town. Probably the pestilence that occurred among
the Massachusetts Bay tribes, in the early part of
the seventeenth century, largely depopulated the
country. A noted Indian trail, at the time of
English occupation, passed through the southeast-
erly part of the territory. This was part of an
ancient way to Connecticut. It passed from Water-
town at what is now known as Wayland and Wes-
ton Corner, and passed into what was then the wil-
derness land near Framingham on the north side of
Cochituate Pond. The strip now in Wayland was
called “ the road from Watertown to the Dunster
Farm.” The town’s early grantees were English-
men. Some of them came to the place of settle-
ment directly from England, and some after a brief
sojourn at Watertown, which was then the town
next adjacent on the east. These settlers proba-
bly arrived at tbe place of their future home by the
fall of 1638. Some of those who names appear
upon tbe “ records” at a very early date, and whose
descendants long lived there, are Noyes, Griffin,
.lohnson, Ward, Parmenter, Rice, Curtis, Stone,
Rutter, Loker, Bent, Maynard, Gi'out, King and
Woodward.
The first dwellings were erected along three
roads, which afterwards became tbe common high-
way. The principal one of these roads, called “the
38
WAYLAND.
North ” or “ East Street,” and also the “ Old
Watertown Trail,” started at what is now “ Weston
and Wayland Corner,” and probably followed the
course of the present road over “ The Plain ” and
Clay-pit Hill to a point near the Abel Gleason es-
tate ; from this place it is supposed to have made
its way a little northerly of Mr. Gleason’s house,
and winding southwesterly, passed just south of
Baldwin’s Pond, and thence to the river at the
bridge. The road originally called “ Northwest
Row ” ran from this street to what is called “ Com-
mon Swamp,” and by the spot designated as the
house-lot of Walter Haynes. This spot still bears
the traces of having, long years ago, been the site
of a house. The cart-path which ran from it to the
meadow is still used.
Along this road the indications of homesteads
are unmistakable ; old building material has been
unearthed, and depressions in the ground are still
to be seen. Mr. J. S. Draper, a little east of his
house, by the brook, unearthed the stones of a fire-
place, with fragments of coals still upon them,
lietween this and Clay-j)it Bridge (the second
bridge or culvert from the mill-pond, or the first
above “ Whale’s Bridge ”) there are, north of the
road, several depressions indicating the sites of old
houses. Just beyond Clay-pit Bridge the writer,
with Mr. Draper, went to look for traces of houses
on the lots assigned to Bryan Pendleton and
Thomas Noyes ; and there, in the exact locality,
were distinct dej)ressions, just where thej' were
looked for. The Curtis homestead, until within a
very few years, was standing in about the place
assigned for the house-lot. Thus strong is the
probability that tlie lots on this street were largely
built upon.
Another of the principal streets was that which,
starting from a i)oint on the North Street near the
town bridge, ran southeasterly along what is now the
common highway, to the head of the mill-pond, and
then to the mill. Upon this street was the first
meeting-house at a spot in the old burying-ground,
and the Parmenter Tavern. The house-lots were
mainly at the northwest end of this street, and the
road was probably extended easterly to give access
to the mill. Here tradition confirms the record
of house-lots, and shows that the lots were more
or less built upon. The John Maynard and John
Loker estates were ke])t for years in their fam-
ilies, and the Parmenter estate is still retained
in the family- In later years the descendants of
.John Rutter built on that street.
'I'he third road was called the “ Bridle Point
Road.” This started at a point a little south-
westerly of the old Dr. Roby house, and ran
along the ridge of “ Braman’s Hill ” for about
two-thirds of its length, when it turned southerly,
and, crossing Mill Brook, ran towards the town’s
southern limits. While tradition positively locates
this road, it points to but one homestead n|)on it,
and that the residence of Rev. Edmund Brown,
which it undoubtedly declares was at the spot desig-
nated by the house-lot data, .\long this street are
no visible marks of ancient ilwelling-places north
of Mill Brook; but beyond, various ileprcssions in
the ground and remnants of building mateiial in-
dicate that at one time this street had houses u[)on
it. With the exce[)tion of those on the south street,
the dwellings were about equally distant from the
meeting-house, and all within easy access to the
River Meadows and the mill. Probably they set-
tled largely in groups, that they might more easily
defend themselves in case of danger. They were in
a new country, and as yet had had little experience
with the Indians; hence we should not expect they
would scatter very widely. lu the early times so
essential was it considered by the Colonial Court
that the people should not widely scatter, that,
three years before Sudbury was settled, it ordered
that, for the greater safety of towns, " hereafter no
dwelling-house should be built above half a mile
from the meeting-house in any new i)lantation.”
(Colony Records, Vol. I.)
It will be noticed that the positions selected for
these streets were, to an extent, where the shelter
of upland couhl be obtained for the house. The
sandy slope of Bridle Point Hill would afford a
protection from the rough winds of winter ; so of
the uplands just north of South Street. It was also
best to settle in groups, to lessen the amount of
road-breaking in winter. It will, moreover, be
noticed that these groups of house-lots were near,
not only meadow land, but light upland, which
would be easy of cultivation. Various things indi-
cate that the most serviceable spots were selected
for homesteads, that roads were constructed to con-
nect them as best they could, and that afterwards
the roads were extended to the mill. Probably the
people on North Street made the short way to
South Street, that comes out at Mr. Jude Damon’s,
in order to shorten the way to church. Those
midway of that street, for a short cut to the mill,
the church and the tavern, would naturally open a
path from the turn of the road by the clay-pits to
the mill. To accommodate the people on •* The
Plain,” a road was opened to the mill in a southwest-
WAYLAND.
39
erly course, which is in part the present highway, but
has in part been abandoned — the latter part being
that which formerly came out directly east of the
mill.
These several sections of road probably formed
what was called the “ Highway.” A large share of
it is in use at the present time, and is very suggestive
of historic reminiscences. By it the settlers went to
the Cakebread Mill, to the little hillside meeting-
house, and to the John Parmenter ordinary. By
these ways came the messenger with fresh news from
the seaboard settlements, or with tidings from the
tribes of the woods. In short, these formed the one
great road of the settlement, the one forest pathway
along which every one more or less trod.
The erecticgi of dwelling-places along these first
streets probably began in 1638 ; but we have no tra-
dition or record of the week or month when the in-
habitants arrived at the spot, nor as to how many
went at any one time. They may have gone in small
companies at different dates; and the entire removal
from Watertown may have occurred in the process of
months. It is quite probable, however, that they
went mainly together, or in considerable companies,
for both the sake of convenience and safety; and
that they were largely there by the autumn of 1638.
We have found no record of the dimensions of any
of the first dwelling-places, but we may judge some-
thing of their size by that of the first house of wor-
ship. and by the specifications in a lease of a house to
be built by Edmund Rice prior to the year 1655.
This house was to be very small — “ 30 foot long, 10
foot high, 1 foot sill from the ground, 16 foot wide,
with two rooms, both below or one above the other,
all the doors, walls and staires with convenient fix-
tures, and well planked under foot and boored suffi-
ciently to lay corn in the story above head.” But
it is doubtful if this small, low structure fitly repre-
sents the settler’s first forest home; very likely that
was a still more simple building, that would serve as
a mere shelter for a few months or years, till a more
serviceable one could be built.
Very early after their arrival, the people began to
provide means for more easy and rapid transit. In-
dian trails and the paths of wild animals would not
long suffice for their practical needs. Hay was to be
drawn from the meadows, and for this a road must
be made. Another was to be made to Concord, and
paths were to be opened to the outlying lands. The
first highway-work was done on the principal street,
which was, doubtless, at first a mere wood-path or
trail. An early rule for this labor, as it is recorded
on the town records, February 20, 1639, is as fol-
lows: “Ordered by the commissioners of the town,
that every inhabitant shall come forth to the mend-
ing of the highw'ay upon a summons by the survey-
ors.” In case of failure, five shillings were to be for-
feited for every default. The amount of labor re-
quired was as follows ;
“ l8t. The poorest man shall work one day.
“2n(I. For every six acres of meadow hind a man hath he eliall work
one day.
“3d. Every man who shall neglect to make all fences appertaining to
his fields by the 24th of April shall forfeit five shillings (Nov. 19th,
1039).“
An important road, laid out in 1648, was that from
Watertown to the Dun^ter Farm, or, the “ Old Con-
necticut path.” The records state : “ Edmund Rice
and Edm" Goodenow, John Bent and John Grout are
appointed to lay out a way from Watertown bound to
the Dunster Farm.”
Another important road laid out in the fir.st decade
was that which went to Concord. In 1648, “ Edmund
Goodenoweis desired to treat with Concord men, and
to agree with them about the laying out of the way
between Concord and Sudbury.” The term “ laying
out,” as it was employed at that period, might not al-
ways imply the opening of a new path, but, perhaps,
the acceptance or formal recognition of an old one,
which hitherto had been only a bridle-way, or mere
forest foot-trail, that had been used as the most avail-
able track to a town, hamlet or homestead.
Bridge-building was early attended to, and a con-
tract was made with Ambrose Leech, and another
with Timothy Hawkins, of Watertown, for structures
to span the river at the site of the present stone
bridge by the William Baldwin estate.
A grist-mill was erected by Thomas Cakebread in
the spring of 1639. The following ns the record con-
cerning it :
“ Granted to Thomas Cakebread, for and in consideration of build-
ing a mill, 40 a. of upland or thereabout now adjoining to the mill, and
a little piece of meadow downwards, and a piece of meadow upwards,
and which may be 16 or 20 a. or thereabout. Also, there is given for his
accommodation for his estate 30 a. of meadow and 40 a. of upland.”
Mr. Cakebread did not long live to make use of his
mill. His widow married Sergeant John Grout, who
took charge of the property. “ In 1643 the Cranberry
swamp, formerly granted to Antient Ensign Cake-
bread, was confirmed to John Grout, and there was
granted to Sargent John Grout a swamp lying by the
house of Philemon Whale, to pen water for the use
of the mill, and of preparing it to remain for the use
of the town.”
Probably the house of Philemon Whale was not far
from the present Concord Road, near Wayland Cen-
tre, and possibly stood on the old cellar-hole at the
right of the road, north of the Dana Parmenter
house. The bridge at the head of the mill-pond long
bore the name of Whale’s Bridge. This mill stood on
the spot where the present grist-mill stands, and
which has been knowui as Reeves’, Grout’s and, more
recently, Wight’s Mill. Some of the original timber
of the Cakebread Mill is supposed to be in the 2Jres-
ent structure. The stream by which it is run is now
small, but in early times it was probably somewhat
larger. The dimensions of the mill are larger than
formerly, it having been lengthened toward the west.
In 1640 a church was organized, which was Congre-
1 galional in government and Calvinistic in creed. A
40
WAYLAND.
copy of its covenant is still preserved. The church
called to its pastorate the Rev. Edmund Brown, and
elected Mr. William Brown deacon. It is supposed
that the installation of Rev. Mr. Brown tvas at the
time of the formation of the church. The parscnage
was by the south bank of Mill Brook, on what was
called “Timber Neck.” The house was called in the
will of Mr. Brown “Brunswick,” which means “man-
sion by the stream,” and stood near the junction of
^lill Brook with the river, a little southeast of Farm
Bridge, and nearly opposite the Richard Heard place.
Nothing uow' visible marks the spot, but both record
and undisputed tradition give its whereabouts. The
salary of Mr. Brown the first year was to be £40, one
half to be paid in money, the other half in some or
all of these commodities, viz., “ wheate, pees, butter,
cheese, porke, beefe, hemp and flax at every quarter’s
end.”
Shortly after the formation of the church and the
settlement of a pastor a meeting-house was built. The
spot selected was at what is now' the “ Old Burying-
ground.” The building stood in its westerly part, and
the site is marked by a slight embankment and a row
of evergreen trees set by Mr. J. S. Draper. The house
was built by John Rutter, and the contract was as
follows:
“ Febrcary 7tli, 1642.
“ It is agreed between the townsmen of this town on the one part, and
.John Kutter on the other part, that the said John Rutterforliis part shall
fell, saw, hew and frame a house for a meeting house, thirty foot long,
twenty foot wide, eight foot between joint, three foot between sude,
two cross dorinants in the house, six clear story windows, two with four
lights apiece, and four with three lights apiece, and to eutentise between
the stude, which frame is to be made ready to raise the first week in
May next. Joh.n Kuttee.”
“.\nd the town for their part do covenant to draw all the timber to
place, and to help to raise the house being framed, and also to pay to the
said John Rutter for the said work six pounds; that is to say, three
pound to be paid in corn at three shillings a bushel, or in money, in and
UIKIU this twenty serenth day of this present montli, and the other three
pounds to be paid in money, corn and cattle to be prized by two men of
the town, one to be chosen by the town and the other to be chosen by
John Rutter, and to be paid at the time that the frame is by the said
John Rutter finished.
“ Peter Notse,
“ Brian Pendleton,
“ William Ward,
“ Walter Haynes,
“John How,
“Thomas Whyte.”
(■• Town Book,” p. 27.)
An act relative to the raising and locating of the
building is the following, dated May, 1643: The town
“ agreed that the meeting-house shall stand upon the
hillside, before the house-lot of John Loker, on the
other side of the way; also, that every inhab-
itant that hath a house-lot shall attend [the raising
of] the new meeting-house, or send a sufficient man
to help raise the meeting-house.” The year after the
contract was made a rate was ordered for the finish-
ing of the house, to be raised on “ meadow' and upland
and all manner of cattle above a quarter old, to be
prized as they were formerly — Shoates at 6 shillings 8
pence apiece, kids at 4 shillings apiece.”
j A further record of the meeting-house is as fol-
low's ;
“Nov. 6tli, 1645.
“It is ordered that all those who are appointed to have seats in the
meeting-house that they shall bring in their first payment for their seats
to Hugh Gritlin, or agree with him between this and the 14th day of
this month, which is on Friday next week, and those that are (deficient)
we do hereby give power to the Marshall to distrain both for their pay-
ment for their seats and also for the Marshall's own labor according to
a former order twelve pence.
“Walter IIayne,
“ Edmund Good.now,
“ William W'arde,
“John Reddicke,
“Hugh Griffin. "
Considerable importance was attached in the early
times to the seating of people in the meeting-house,
and in the records of new houses of worship mention
is made of this matter. Respect was had to social
; condition and circumstance; committees were chosen
] to adjust these matters in the payment of rates, and
references are made in the records of town-meeting to
I the requests of parties about their seats in the meet-
I ing-house. A rule that was general w'as that the men
j should sit at one end of the pew and the women at
! the other. In the third meeting-house erected iu
Sudbury it was a part of the plan that the pew's should
be so arranged as to seat seven men on one side and
I seven w'omen on the other. In this first meeting-
! house of Sudbury the people purchasing seats had a
right to dispose of their purchase, in case they should
j leave the settlement; but the right w'as reserved by
( the town of seating the parties who purchased, as is
j declared by the following record, January 26, 1645;
It W’as “ordered that all those that pay for seats in
the meeting-house shall have leave to sell as many
seats as they pay for, provided they leave the seating
of the persons to whom they sell to the church offi-
cers, to seat them if they themselves go out of tow’n.”
About this first meeting-house a burial-place was soon
1 started.
I In meeting public expense, rates were made on the
meadow lands, or in proportion as the people were
possessed of them. These meadows were early divi-
ded among them, three apportionments having been
I made by 1640.
[ This division of meadow land was an important
transaction. It was not only a disposal of common
property of the proprietors, but it established a stand-
’ ard of rates, and in a certain sense of valuation. For
I example, money to pay for land purchased of Karte
was to “ be gathered according to such quantity of
meadow’ as are granted to the inhabitants of the
! town.” In the division of “uplands,” the rule of re-
ceiving was according as a person was possessed of
“meadow.” In the pasturage of the extensive cow’
common, the people w’ere to be limited in the number
of cattle put in by their meadows, or their rates as
I based upon them.
In the erection of the meeting-house and pay of the
I minister, reference w'as had to rates paid on the
Wayland.
See page 206
WAYLANI).
11
meadows. Perhaps the meadows thus assigned might
properly be termed meadow-rights. As in some
places the “acre-right” would procure lands or
privileges in proportion to the part paid into the
common venture by the proprietor, so in Sudbury the
meadow-right might do likewise ; and a person who
possessed an original meadow-right might possess a
right to subsequent land allotments, or the right of
his cattle to commonage, so long as the town had un-
divided territory. Thus it might be said that the
proprietors received values on their investment in the
enterprise, not by monied divisions, but by land
divisions. Hence, these divisions of land might be
called the dividends of those early days, and the
money raised by the town on the basis of these early
divisions of meadow might be called assessments on
the stock made to meet public expenses. We con-
clude that these meadow-rights or dividends were
merchantable, to the extent that a person in selling
them might or might not convey the right that
belonged to them, as related to commonage and other
allotments. The lands that were given by gratu-
lation, for worthiness or work done for the public,
might or might not have the privileges of an original
meadow-right or dividend. In raising money to pay
Karto for the land which the town last bought of him,
it was ordered that “ all meadow was to pay at one
price, and that all meadow given by way of gratu-
lation should have right of commonage.”
That the original grantees, and those subsequently
given the privilege of such, as a “gratulation ” for
services performed for the settlers, could transfer the
right to subsequent divisions of the common and un-
divided land, is indicated by the records of the pro-
ceedings of the proprietors of these lands many years
after the settlement of Sudbury. In the Proprietors’
Book of Records, as will be noticed further along, are
given repeated lists of the names of the early grantees,
even after the most, if not all of them, had parsed
away. These lists are referred to as those possessing
an original right to the town’s undivided land, and
may indicate that wherever or whenever one pos-
sessed that right as it had beeu conveyed through
the years, in whatever way, that person could claim
land when a division was made, or could vote on the
disposal of the proprietors’ undivided territory.
An early rule for the apportionment of meadow is
the following:
“ It was ordered and agreed that the meadows of the town of Sudbury
ehall be laid out and given to the present inhabitants as much as shall
be thought meet, according to this rule following :
Zmpn'mu, —
To every Mr. of a ffamilie 6 akers
To every wiffe 6^ akers
To every child akers
To every mare, cow, ox, or any other cattle that may
amount to 20£., or so much money 3 akers
We conjecture that the meadow lands allotted by
this rule were for encouragement, and to give the in-
habitants at the outset a means of maintenance for
4
their flocks; and that other rules were made use of
when the division became the basis of assessments of
rates, as bestowal of meadow dividends.
A record of the divisions is presented in the town
books, and the following is the preamble to one of
them:
“ A record of the names of the Inhabitants of Sudbury, with their sev-
eral quantity of meadow to every one granted, according to tlieir estates,
or granted by gratulation for services granted by them, which meadow
is ratable upon all common charges.”
While land divisions were being made, reservations
were also made of lands for pasturage, which it was
understood were to remain undivided. These lands
were called “Cow Commons,” and the record of them
explains their use. The first was laid out or set apart
the 26th of November, 1643. The record concerning
the location is as follows :
” It is concluded by the town that all the lands southward that lie from
the southeast corner of the house-lot of Robert Darnill, unto the common
cartbridge going to Edmund Goodnow’s meadow, and so upon a strait
line to Watertown bound, which lands so granted, for a cow common,
shall never be reserved or laid down without the consent of evei*y In-
habitant that hath right in commonage. All the lands we say that are
contained within these terms, that is between the houselot of Robert
Darnill and the cartbridge before specified, southward within the five
miles bound first granted, dow’n to the great river, and bounded on the
side which the extremity of our line bounding Watertown and Sudbury,
all our land contained within these terms, except all such land as have
been granted out in particular; that is to say, a neck of upland lying
between Mill brook and Pine brook ; also another neck of land, with the
flat belonging to it, lying between the aforesaid neck and the great
river on the other side ; also another plat of land that lyeth westward
from them, containing some 3 or 4 score acres, and granted out to par-
ticular men.
“ The Inhabitants of the town are to be limited and sized, in the put-
ting in of cattle upon the said common in proportion, according to the
quantity of meadow the said Inhabitants are stated in upon the divi-
sion of the meadow', or shall be instated in by purchase hereafter pro-
vided they buy with the meadow the liberty of commonage allotted to
such a quantity of meadow as shall be purchased.”
It is somewhat difficult to define the bounds of this
cow common exactly from the description given in
the records, but the following may be considered its
general outline : From Weston bound direct to Way-
land Centre, thence west of south to the river, and
thence again direct to Weston bound.
The following are .some of the early laws enacted
by the town :
Laws Relating to Domestic Animals.— In
1641 it was ordered that “ every one that keeps any
hogs more than his own within one fortnight after
this day shall rid them out of this town only that for
every hog that shall be taken in to be kept by any
won more than his own for every week shall pay five
shillings.” In 1643 it was ordered “ that every in-
habitant should drive out his hog every morning into
the wood, and when they come home at night to see
them shut up safe, or else, if they be about the street,
to ring and yoke them.” In 1648 it was voted in
town-meeting, “ that every swine that shall be found of
any man out of his own properity, without a sufficient
I yoke and ring, after the first of March next, the
owner thereof shall forfeit for every swine so taken
one shilling, and if the swine be yoked and not ringed.
42
WAYLANI).
or ringed and not yoked, tbeasix pence for any swine
so taken, beside all the damage done by any such
swine.” It was also “agreed that all yokes should be
under the throat of the swine, and so long as the
swine was high and a rope go up on each side to be
fastened above, and that swine thould not be ac-
counted sufficiently ringed if they could root.”
In 1643 it was “ordered by the freemen of the town
that all the cattle w ithin this town shall this summer
not be turned abroad without a keeper, and the keeper
shall not keep any of the herd in any of the great river
meadows, from Bridle I’oint downwards towards Con-
cord, the intent of .he order to preserve the river mea-
dows.” In 1655 it was ordered that “ all young, new-
weaned calves shall be herded all the summer time.”
It was ordered that “every goat that is taken in
any man’s garden, orchard or green corn shall be im-
pounded, aixl the owner shall pay for any such goat
so taken 3 pence.”
In 1754 it was voted “ that a fine of two shillings be
laid upon the owner of any dog or dogs that should
cause and make any disturbance at either of the meet-
ing-houses on the Lord’s day, or Sabbath day, one-
half of the fine wuus to go to complainant and the
other half to the use of the town.”
Laws Concerxixg Ammuxitiox axd Fire-arms.
— In 1653, “The town appointed Edmund Goodnow’
and Hugh Griffin to divide the shot and overplus of
bullets to the iuhabitauis, what was wanting in shot
to make up out of the overplus of bullels, and the
shot and bullets to be divided to each man his due
by proportion according to what every man paid so
near as they can.”
In 1669, “ Edmund Goodnow, John Parmenter, Jr.,
and John Stone were to see to the barrel of powder,
to the trial of it, to the heading it up again, and to
take some course for the safe bestowing of it.”
The same year the selectmen not only ordered for
the providing of a barrel of powder, but a hundred
pounds and a half of musket bullets, and a quarter
of a hundred of matches. When the third meeting-
house was built, it was ordered that there should be
in it “a convenient place for the storing of the am-
munition of the town over the window in the south-
west gable.” About that time tbe town’s stock of
ammunition w'as divided and intrusted to persons who
would “engage to respond for the same” in case that
it was “ not spent in real service in the resistance of
the enemy.”
The Colonial Court at an early date ordered that
“ the town’s men in every town shall order that ev’y
house, or some two or more houses ioyne together for
the breeding of salt peetr i’ some out house used for
poultry or the like.” The duty of looking after this
matter for Sudbury was assigned to Ensign Cake-
bread. The saltpetre thus obtained was for the man-
ufacture of gunpowder. In 1645 Sudbury was “freed
from y* taking further care about salt peeter houses
: : : in answer to their petition.”
In 1642 the Court made more stringent the laws
previously existing against selling fire-arms to the
Indians, exacting a forfeiture of £10 for the sale to
them of a gun, and £5 for a pound of powder.
In 1643 the Court ordered “that the military offi-
cers in every town shall appoint what arms shall be
brought to the meeting-house on the Lord's days, and
other limes of meeting, and to take orders at farms
and houses remote that ammunition bee safely dis-
posed of that an enemy may not possess himself of
them.”
CoMMOX Plaxtixg-Fieeps.— In the town’s earlier
years it was the practice to plant fields in common;
and repeatedly in the records are these common fields
referred to. These planting-places were situated in
dift'erent parts of the town : between the old North
and South Street in the neighborhood of the Glea-
sons, al.so between Mill Brook and Pine Brook along
“the Plain” in the vicinity' of the Drapers, and
toward the south bound of the town, near the new
bridge.
Fexce-Viewers axo Fexces. — A good degree of
attention was early bestowed by the town on its fences.
Several surveyors were appointed each year to look
after them ; and although the office of “ fence-viewer ”
has now gone into disuse, it was once one of consid-
erable responsibility. As early as 1655, “Surveyors
were appointed to judge of the sufficiency of the
fences about men’s particular properties in cases of
damage and difference.” We read in the records that
John iSIaynard and John Blanford were, a certain
year, to attend to the fences “of the field and the
cornfield on the other side of the way from the pond
to the training place.” “Edmund Rice and Thomas
Goodenow for all the fences of cornfields from new
bridge southward within the town bound.”
In 1666 tbe records state that “Persons were ap-
pointed surveyors for this year over the fields where
Henry Loker dwells, and the field fences, where Sedo-
mon Johnson dwelleth.” Field fences are mentioned
as being on the south side of Pine .Brook, also as
being between Mill Brook and Pine Brook; also,
“upon the hill from the little pond by the dwelling-
house of John Blanford unto Mill brook.” Several
kinds of fences were used. One kind was made by
ditching. It was ordered, in 1671, “That all the
great river meadows shall be fenced, that is to say
that all the proprietors of the great river meadows
shall fence the heads or both ends of the meadows,
and where it may be necessary, to have a ditch made
from the upland to the river at the charge of the
squadron that shall lie on both sides of the said ditch
according to their benefit.” For the upland, also,
this mode of fencing was sometimes used. By the
roadside, about half-way between Wayland Centre
and the Plain, are distinct traces of one of these an-
cient fences.
Hedges were sometimes made use of. Mention is
made of fences that w'ere to be made up “of good rails
Abel Glezen,
At the age of 40.
WAYLAND.
well set three I'eet and one-lialf high or otherwise
good hedge well staked or such fences as would be an
equivelant the fences to be attended to by April P‘ if
the frost give leave if not then ten days after.” After
a certain date all the field fences were to be closed, as
is indicated by the following; “It is ordered, that all
the fences that are in general fields, in this town of
Sudbury, shall be shut up by the 10th May or else to
forfeit for every rod unfenced five shillings.”
Staple Crops. — Some of the staple crops were
Indian corn, — sometimes called by the one word
“Indian,” — rye, barley, wheat, peas and oats. Hemp
and flax were also raised.
Hay was early a great staple article; this, as we
have noticed, the river meadows bountifully pro-
duced. To such an extent did this crop abound, that
the settlers not only kept their own stock, but they
received cattle from abroad.
The time for cutting the meadow grass is indicated
by such statements as these. When Sergeant John
Rutter hired the Ashen swamp meadow, “he was to
cat the grass by the 10“* of July, or else it shall be
lawful for any other man to cut the said meadow.”
He was to pay for it that year four shillings and six
pence. Such prices as the following are also men-
tioned: two bushels of wheat and one bushel of In-
dian corn for Long Meadow. Strawberry Meadow
was let out the same year, 1667, for one bushel of
wheat; also the minister’s meadow in Sedge Meadow
was let out for eight shillings to be paid in Indian
corn; Ashen Swamp Meadow was let out the same
year to Ensign John Grout for three shillings, to be
paid one-half in wheat, the other in Indian corn.
The meadow on the southeast side of the town was
let out to Henry Rice for a peck of wheat. These,
we think, were probably common meadows of the
town, and let out from year to year.
Measures were taken from time to time for improving
the meadow lands. In 1645 a commission was granted
by the colonial authorities (Colony Records, Vol. II.,
p. 99) “for y' btP & impviig of y® medowe ground
vpon y* ryver running by Concord & Sudberry.”
Later, also in 1671, a levy of four pence an acre was
to be made “ upon all the meadow upon the great
river for the clearing of the river ; that is, from Con-
cord line to the south side, and to Ensign Grout’s
spring.”
Climate. — The following records will serve to in-
dicate the character of the climate at that period com-
pared with the present. It was at one time ordered
by the town that the fences should be set by the 1st
or the 10th of April. In 1642 “ it was ordered that
no cattle were to be found on the planting fields and
all the fences were to be up by March 1st.”
Care of the Poor. — In 1649 it was ordered that
certain persons “ have power to speak with Mrs. Hunt
about her person, house [or home] and estate, and to
take some care for her relief.” The following vote
was recorded years afterwards : that “ Mrs. Hunt
IJ
shall have fifty shillings, out of a rate to be made this
present February, 1665, this in respect of her poverty.”
In 1669 [or ’67] Mrs. Hunt was to have fifty shil-
lings pension paid out of the town rate. In 1673,
“ because of the poverty of her fainely, it was ordered
that Mr. Peter Noyes do procure and bring sergeon
Avery from Dedham to the Widow Hunt, of this
town, to inspect her condition, to advise, and direct,
and administer to her relief, and cure of her dis-
temper.” Ten pounds were also to be put “ into the
hands of Peter Noyes with all speed to assist Mrs.
Hunt with.”
About 1663 a contract was made with Thomas
Rice to keep a per.son a year, “if he live as long,”
for which he was to have five pounds sterling ; and if
the person kept had any, or much sickness during the
year, the town was to give Jlr. Rice “satisfaction to
content, for any physic, attendance or trouble.” In
1663, £7 were added to the present rate, “ for the u.se
of Thomas Tiling’s sickness, and to pay for intend-
ance of him.” In 1664 John White was “exempted
from paying his present rate to the town, and also
unto the minister.” Dr. Loring, in his diary, gives
repeated instances of collections taken for the af-
flicted in the time of his ministry ; as, for example,
in 1750: “ Lord’s day, had a contribution for Thomas
Saunders, laboring under a severe and incurable
cancer; collected £16-8-0.” In 1757 or ’59, “had a
contribution for our brother, Tristam Cheeney. £31
was gathered.” About 1762, October 7th, public
Thanksgiving : “ A contribution was made for the
wife of Asahel Knight, of Worcester. £18 was col-
lected.”
But, while the people, as shown by such instances,
were generous to the deserving poor, as a lown they
took stringent measures for the prevention of pov-
erty. This they did, both by discouraging its importa-
tion, and by encouraging what tended to thrift. In
the records we find the following ; “ In consideration
of the increase of poor people among us, . . . as
also considering how many poor persons from other
towns come in to reside. Ordered, That not any one
who owned houses or lands in town should either let
or lease any of them unto any strangers that is not
at present a town-dweller, without leave or license
first had and obtained of the selectmen in a select-
men’s meeting or by leave had and obtained in a gen-
eral town -meeting or otherwise shall stake down, de-
positate, and bind over a sufficient estate unto the
selectmen of Sudbury, which said estate so bound
over unto the said selectmen, that shall bein their the
said selectmen’s judgment sufficient to have and se-
cure the tow’n of Sudbury harmless from any charge
that may so come by the said lands so leased, and if
any person notwithstanding this order shall lease any
houses or lands unto any stranger as above said with-
out lisence and giving good security as above said,
shall for every week’s entertainment of a stranger
into his houses or lands forfeit the sum of 19 shillings
44
WAYI>AX1).
6 pence to the town of Sudbury ; and any person
bringing a stranger presuming to come as a truant
contrary to order as above said, shall for every week’s
residence forfeit 19 shillings (5 pence to the town of
Sudbury.”
In 1683 Mathew Rice was to be warned to come
before the town clerk, for admitting to some part of
bis land Thomas Hedley, who brought bis wife and
child. Thomas Hedley was also to be warned
to quit the town. Another person was cen-
sured for “ taking in and harboring of Christopher
Petingal, who is rendered to be a person of a vicious
nature, and evil tongue and behavior, and otherwise
discouraging enough.” In 1692-93 a law was enacted
by the Province, by which towns were allowed to
warn away strangers. If the warning was not given
within three months, then the ]iarties so far became
residents, that, if in need, they were to receive
assistance from the town. If persons warned did not
leave within fourteen days, the constable could re-
move them by law. The town repeatedly made use
of this power.
lileaus were also taken for the encouragement of in-
dustry.
About 1663 the town voted to grant “ Jlr. Stearns
of Charlestown, ironmonger and blacksmith,” certain
meadow lands, and “ firewood for his family nse, and
wood for coals for to do the smithy work.” He was
also to take timber in the commons “ to build his
house and shop and fence.” A little later .Toseph
Graves was allowed to take timber to build a house,
and part of the land formerly given him to erect a
smith shop upon. Also there was granted to Richard
Sanger “six acres of meadow, on the west side of the
river, uj)on the condition he stay amongst us to do
our smith’s work for four years, the time to begin the
twenty-fourth day of August, 1646.”
Educatiox. — The following records afford some
information concerning early educational advantages.
In 1664 “ the town promised to give answer at the
next meeting whether or no they will accommodate
Mr. AV’alker [with] any lands towards his encour-
agement to keep a free school in Sudbury.” We infer
that Mr. Walker was encouraged in his project by
^ the following report on educational matters rendered
in 1680 :
“And as for schools, tho’ there be no stated school
in this town, for that the inhabitants are so scattered
in their dwellings that it cannot well be, yet such is
the case that, by having two school dames on each
side of the river, that teacheth small children to spell
and read, which is so managed by the parents and gov-
ernors at home, and prosecuted after such sort as
that the selectmen who distribnted themselves did
within three months last past so examine families,
children, and youth, both as to good manners, orderly
living, chatechizing, and reading, as that they re-
turned from all parts a comfortable good account of
all these matters, and render them growing in several
families beyond expectation, rarely reprovable any-
where, encouraging in most places, and in others
very commendable, so as that the end is accomplished
hitherto. And for teaching to write or cypher, here
is Mr. Thomas Walker, and two or three others
about this town, that do teach therein, and are ready to
teach all others that need, if people will come or send
them.’’
From the report rendered the court for the county
of Middlesex, in reference to education in morals, we
infer that attention was early turned to that matter.
In 1655 persons were “appointed for to take pains for
to see into the general families in town, to see whether
children and servants are employed in work, and
educated in the ways of God and in the grounds o'f
religion, according to the order of the General Court.”
The same year John How was “appointed by the
Pastor and Selectmen to see to the restraining from
the profanation of the Lord’s day in time of public
exercise.”
The stocks w'ere employed as a means of punish-
ment. In 1651, “John Rutter promised to mend
the stocks.” They were used as late, at least, as
1722, when it was voted “ by y® town to grant five
shillings to bye to pad Locks for y® pound and
stocks.” This old-time appliance was for a period
near the meeting-honse, as the records state
that in 1681 “Samuel How was to build a new
pair of stocks,” and was to set them up before the meet-
ing-house.” In subsequent year.^, tything-men were
appointed, and duly sworn before the selectmen, as
the law' directed. All these agencies were made use
of to maintain a wholesome morality. That they
succeeded in accomj)lishing something, the following
from the foregoing report of 1680 indicates: “And
the selectmen having also been made acquainted that
the court expects their inspection touching persons
who live from under family government, or after a
dissolute or disorderly manner, to the dishonor of
God, or corrupting of youth, the selectmen of the
town as above having personally searched and en-
quired into all families and quarters, in and about
this town, do return this answer, that they find none
such amongst us.”
Commercial relations were not always carried on
by payments in money, but sometimes wholly or in
part in produce. Edmund Rice, in 1654, “for service
as deputy,” w'as to have “ six pounds to be paid in
wheat at John Parmenters senior, and so much more
as shall pay seven pence a bushell for the carriage of
it, to be j)aid within one week after next Michelmas.”
For work on the meeting-house, about the year 1688,
“ he was to have country pay, at country price.” The
country pay was to be “in good sound merchantable
Indian corn, or rye, or wheat, or barley, or malt, or
peas, or beef, or pork, or work.” At a meeting of the
selectmen, Oct. 25, 1678, it w'as ordered that “Mr.
Peter Noyes, Peter Kingeand Thomas Stevens or any
of them are appointed to collect of the Inhabitants
Built 1803.
WAYLAND.
45
of this town what may he wanted of the sum granted
by any person or persons towards the new college at
Cambridge in building according to an order by the
Gen C . . This being attended to, the town re-
ceived its discharge.
Sometimes payments were promised either in pro-
duce or money, as, in 1696, Benjamin Parmenter was
to sweep the meeting-house, ifom April 1st of that
year to April 1st of the next year, “ for ten bushells
of Indian corn, or twenty shillings in money.”
Whether Mr. Parmenter was to take which he chose,
or the party engaging him was to give which they
chose, is not stated. Sometimes the jjroduce was
rated, or paid for town rates, in accordance with what
the produce was rated or paid for in county rates ;
as, in 1673, it was ordered that “ all corn or grain, paid
into the towns rate for this year, shall be paid in at
such prices as the county rate is paid in at for the
year.” We conclude that the town had the liberty to
establish the value of produce that was to pay the
town rates; as, for the year 16^, '^eat rated ^
five shillings per bushel, peas atlb*»T slrnlings, oats at
two shillings, Indian corn at two shillings nine pence.
Philip's War. — In 1775-76 the people suffered
hardship in consequence of King Philip’s War. Be-
fore the town was invaded by the Indians it rendered
valuable assistance to the Colony by the service of
Ephraim Curtis, a famous woodsman and scout. He
was a carpenter by trade, about thirty-three years of
age. He had an intimate acquaintance with the
country and its native inhabitants, and could speak
their language with fluency. After the breaking out
of Philip’s War the Colonial authorities, wishing to
secure the Nipnet Indians in western and central
Massachusetts before they should ally themselves to
King Philip, selected Ephraim Curtis for this most
important and hazardous enterprise. In the ill-fated
expedition sent out to the Nipnet country under
Capt. Edward Hutchinson, Curtis went as a guide.
When the expedition retreated to Brookfield, and the
soldiers were besieged in a garrison-house there, and
it was necessary to send some one for a.ssistance, the
task fell upon Curtis. The bold adventurer set forth
from the garrison, a lone soldier, to rely on his prow-
ess and a protecting providence to shield him on his
course. Capt. Wheeler, in his official report, states
of the affair as follows : “ I spake to Ephraim Cur-
tis to adventure forth again on that service, and to
attempt it on foot as the way wherein was the most
hope of getting away undiscovered. He readily as-
sented, and accordingly went out ; but there were so
many Indians everywhere threatened that he could
not pass without apparent hazard of life, so he came
back again, but towards morning the said Ephraim
adventured forth the 3d time, and was fain to creep
on his hands and knees for some space of ground that
he might not be discovered by the enemy, but
through God's mercy he escaped their hands, and got
safely to Marlboro’, though very much spent and
ready to faint by re.ason of want of sleep before he
went from us, and his sore travel night and day in
that hot season till he got thither.” On arriving at
Marlboro’ he met Major Simon Willard and Capt.
James Parker, of Groton, with forty-six men, who
were there to scout between Marlboro’, Lancaster and
Groton. These, on receiving intelligence of affairs
at Brookfield, hastened at once with relief. They ar-
rived August 7th, just in season to rescue the sur-
vivors. After this narration, it is unnecessary to
speak of the bravery of this adventurous scout, or
the value of his services to the country.
Ephraim Curtis was a son of Henry Curtis, one of
the original grantees, and whose house was on the old
North or East Street, a little easterly of the Abel
Gleason estate. It remained standing till within a
few years.
When Indian hostilities were imminent. Rev. Ed-
mund Brown was active in making preparations for
th^ de&a«e *Wf^tlie people on the east side of the
iver. In a letter sent to the Governor Sept. 26, 1675,
he states as follows : “ I have been at a round charge
to fortify my house, and, except finishing the two
flankers and my gate, have finished. Now, without
four hands I cannot well secure it, and if for want of
hands I am beaten out, it will be very advantageous
to the enemy, and a thorn to the town.” The men
asked for were granted him ; and his house afforded
a place of defence to the inhabitants of that locality,
who were directed to resort to it in time of peril.
After the war began the meeting-house was made a
place of security, and fortifications were constructed
about it.
When the hostilities bega'’ Mr. Brown sent a letter
to the authorities, in whic-* ne says : “ It is reported
that our woods are pestered with Indians. One
Adams within our bounds was shot at by a lurking
Indian or more. He was shot through the coat and
shirt near to the arm-pit. One Smith walking the
woods was assailed by 3 or 4 Indians, whom he dis-
covered sw’ooping down a hill toward him, but Smith
saved himself by his legs. One Joseph Freeman
coming up about 4 mile Brook discovered two Indi-
ans, one in the path presenting his gun at him in the
way (in a brighi moonlight night), but Freeman dis-
mounting shot at him, and mounting rode for it. One
Joseph [Shaley] coming home from Marlboro’ on
Thursday last discovered Indians in our bounds, one
of which made a shot at him, the bullet passing by
him, but being mounted and riding for it he escaped.
One Joseph Curtis, son to Ephraim Curtis on Satur-
day last heard 3 volleys of shot made by Indians be-
tween us and Watertown. This being to long, Ensign
Grout can give a full narrative to your Honor and
Councill. The consideration of all which I hope will
excite you : : : to order that these woods may be
scoured and that our town of Sudbury a frontier town
may be enabled to contribute aid therein and defend
itself with its quantity of men, I humbly move. And
40
WAYLANP.
this I shall [present] unto the Honorable Councill
that we may not have men pressed out of our small
town.” Dated, “Sudbury 26‘'’ T'*" mo.”
Philip made his attack on Sudbury the 21st of
April, 1676, on which day he also engaged at Green
Hill with the forces of Captains Wadsworth and
Brocklebank. The same day a detachment of his
men erossed the Town Bridge and began their devas-
tating work on the East Side. They doubtless in-
tended to take what spoil they could and then burn
the place ; but they were efl'ectually checked in their
work. The inhabitants fell upon them with fury.
They beat them from the very thresholds of their
humble homes, and snatched the spoil from their sav-
age clutch ; they even forced them to retreat on the
run, and seek safety in precipitous flight. Y’hile
the work of beating back the enemy was going on, a
company of reinforcements arrived from Water-
town, by order of Captain Hugh ^lason. These
reinforcements probably arrived some time before
noon. As the attack began about daybreak, and took
the inhabitants somewhat by surprise, it is hardly prob-
able that the news would reach Watertown until the
morning was well advanced. Watertown was the bor-
der town on the east. The part now Weston was called
the “Farmers’ Precinct.” At this locality the sound
of guns could without doubt be heard, aiid the smoke
rising over the woods in dark, ominous clouds might
bespeak what was befalling the neighborhood. More-
over, the intelligence may have reached Watertown
by couriers, who carried it to Boston, arriving there
about midday.
When Mason’s force reached Sudbury, about two
hundred Indians were on the east side the river en-
gaged in mischievous work. The little company of
town’s people who could be spared from the stockade
was too small to drive them back over the river. The
best they could do was to keep them from too close
range of their little stronghold, and save a part of
their property and dwellings. But when these rein-
forcements arrived, the united forces compelled the
foe to make a general retreat.
The contest that preceded this retreat of the sav-
ages was doubtless severe. Two hundred Indians
were a force sufficient to offer stubborn rei-istance.
They were near a large force held in reserve by King
Philip on the west side of the river, and might at any
time receive reinforcement from him ; and if they could
hold the causeway and bridge, the day might be won.
On the other hand, the English had a vast deal at
stake; if the foe was forced over the stream, the east
side would for a time be safe. They could defend the
narrow causeway and bridge, while the high water
would protect their flanks. Such were the circum-
stances that would cause each to make a hard fight.
But the English prevailed. The foe was forced back,
and the bridge and causeway were held, so that they
could not repass them.
A company of twelve men who came to the rescue
from Concord were slain upon the river meadow.
The bodies were left where they fell until the follow-
ing day, when they were brought in boats to the foot
of the Old Town Bridge and buried. The burial-
place may he on the northerly side of the Town
Bridge on the eastern bank of the river. The suppo-
sition is based on the fact that it was high water on
the meadow at that time, and hence this place was
probably the only one suitable for the burial. A
monument to this brave relief company would be
very appropriate, and serve to mark a locality which
on that day was full of stirring events.
Shortly after Philip’s War occurred the death of
Kev. Edmund Brown. He died .June 22, 1678. The
town soon ealled as his successor Bev. .Tames Sherman.
Active measures were immediately taken to provide
the minister with a house. The toAvn boughtof John
Loker the east end of his house, standing before and
near the meeting house, and his orchard, and the
whole home lot of about foui acres; it also bought of
him the reversion due to him of the western end of
the house that his mother then dwelt in. This part
of the house was to be the town’s property at the
marriage or death of the said Widow Mary Loker.
For this property the town was to pay John Loker
fifty pounds. The Widow Loker appeared at town-
meeting, and surrendered all her reversion in the
western end of the house to the town, reserving the
liberty to have twelve months in which “ to provide
herself otherwise.” She also promised in the mean
time “ to quit all egress and regre-s through the
eastern end of the house and every part thereof.” In
consequence of this the town agreed to pay her annu-
ally— that is, till she should marry or die — twenty-
five shillings, money of New England. The town
also voted to raise twenty-five pounds with which to
repair the house. The records inform us, that “the
said town doth freely give and grant unto Mr. James
Sherman, minister of the word of God, all that house
and lands which the said town bought lately of John
Loker, and twenty pounds to be paid him in [country]
pay towards the repair of the said house, and also
twenty pounds more to be paid him in money, for and
towards the purchase of the widow Mary Loker’s lot
that lies adjoining to it, when she shall have sold it to
the said Mr. James Sherman, and also six acres of
common upland lying on the back side of the town at
the end of Smith field, and also six acres of meadow
ground some where out of the common meadow’s of
this town. These foregoing particular gilts and
grants the said town doth engage and promise to the
said Mr. James Sherman minister and his heiis . .
. in case he shall settle in this town and live and
die amongst them their Teaching Elder. Butin case
the said Mr. Sherman shall not carry out the con-
stant work of preaching in and to this town, during
his life, or shall depart and leave this town before his
death, then all the premises shall return to the said
town’s hands again to be at their own dispose forever,
Newell Heard,
At the age of 5o.
WAYLAND.
47
only they are then to pay to the said Mr. Sherman all
the charges he hath been out for the same in the
meantime, as [they] shall be judged worth by indif-
ferent men mutually chosen, unless both parties shall
agree therein among themselves.”
The town also agreed to pay Jlr. Sherman eighty
pounds salary; twenty pounds of this w’ere to be paid
him in “ money, twenty pounds in wheat, pork, beef,
mutton, veal, butter, or cheese, or such like species
at country price, and the remaining forty shall be
paid him in Indian Corn and Rye, or Barley or Peas,
all at country prices.” He was to have five pounds
added per annum to his salary for the cutting and
carting home of firewood. He was also to have the
use of the minister’s meadow lands, and could pasture
his cattle on the common land, and have firewood and
timber from the common land of the town.
Mr. Sherman was son of Rev. John Sherman, of
Watertown. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas
Walker, of Sudbury, and had two sons, John and
Thomas. He was ordained in 1678, and was dis-
missed May 22, 1705. After leaving the pastoral
office he remained in town for a time, occasionally
preaching abroad. Afterwards, he practiced medi-
cine in Elizabethtown, N. J., and Salem, Mass. He
died at Sudbury, March 3, 1718.
New Meeting-House. — During the pastorate of
Mr. Sherman the town took measures for the erection
of a new house of worship. October 6, 1686, “it was
determined, ordered, and voted, that a new meeting-
house be built within this town with all convenient
speed, after such manner as shall be resolved upon by
the town.” “ It was ordered that the said new meet-
ing-house shall be erected, finished and stand upon
the present Burying place of this town and on the
most convenient part thereof or behind or about the
old meeting-house that now is."
The business of building the meeting-house was
entrusted to Deacon John Haines, between whom
and the town a covenant was made at a town-meeting,
January 10, 1685. It was to be raised on or before
the 1st day of July, 1688; and for the work Mr.
Haines was to have two hundred pounds, — one hun-
dred and sixty pounds of it to be paid in “country
pay and at country price,” and the other forty pounds
to be paid in money. The country pay was to be in
“good sound merchantable Indian corn, or Rye, or
wheat, or barley, or malt, or Peas, or Beef, or Pork,
or work, or in such other pay as the said Deacon
Haines shall accept of any person.”
The meeting-house was to be “ made, framed and
set up, and finished upon the land and i)lace ap-
pointed by the town on the 6“* of October last past,
in all respects for dimensions, strength, shape, . . .
and conveniences, as Dedham meeting-house is, ex-
cept filling between studs; but in all things else ad-
mitting w'ith all in this work such variations as are
particularly mentioned in the proposition of Corporal
John Brewer and Sam’ How.” The town was to help
raise the building, the clapboards were to be of cedar,
the inside to be lined with either planed boards or
cedar clapboards, and the windows were to contain
two hundred and forty feet of glass. It was voted,
“that Lent. Daniel Pond shall be left to his liberty
whether he will leave a middle alley in the new
meeting-house, or shut up the seats as they are in
Dedham meeting-house, provided always that the
seats do comfortably and conveniently hold and con-
tain seven men in one end of the sea.ts and seven
women in the other end of the seats.”
A few years after this meeting-house was built a
bell was provided for it. It cost “ twenty and five
pounds in money.”
In the succession of wars that occurred during the
last of the seventeenth and the first of the eighteenth
century the east side was well represented, and famil-
iar names are preserved on the muster rolls of that
period. In the State Archives is a petition on which,
among others, are the names of Noyes, Bice, Allen,
Curtis, Gleason and Rutter. This petition, which is
supposed to have reference to the ill-fated expedition
of Sir William Phipps in 1690, presents a sad story of
suffering. The following is a part of the paper ;
“To the honorable Governor, Deputy-Governor, and to all our honored
Magistrates and Representatives of the Massachusetts Colony, now
sitting in General Court in Boston,
“ The humble petition of us who are some of us for ourselves, others
for our children and servants, whose names are after sut scribed humbly
showeth that being impressed the last winter several of us into dreadful
service, where, by reason of cold and hunger and in tedious inarches
many score of miles in water and snow, and laying on the snow by night,
having no provision but what they could carry upon their backs, beside
hard arms and ammunition, it cost many of them their lives. Your hum-
ble petitioners several of us have been at very great charges to set them
out with arms, and ammunition, and clothing, and money to support
them, and afterwards by sending supplies to relieve them and to save
their lives, notwithstanding many have lost their lives there, others came
home, and which were so suffered, if not poisoned, that they died since
they came from there, notwithstanding all means used, and charges out
for their recovery, others so surfeited that they are thereby disabled
from their callings. Likewise your humble petitioners request is that
this lionored court would grant this favor that our messengers may have
liberty to speak in the court to open our cau-e so as to give the court
satisfaction. Your humble petitioners humble request is farther that
you would please to mind our present circumstances, and to grant us
such favors as seems to be just and rational, that we may have some
compensation answerable to our burden, or at least to be freed from far-
ther charges bv rates, until the rest of our brethren have borne their
share witli us, and not to be forced to pay others that have been out but
little in respect of us. whereas the most of us have received little or noth-
ing but have been at very great charges several of us. If it shall please
this honorable General Court to grant us our petition we shall look upon
ourselves as duty binds us ever pray.
“ John Haynes Sen.
Joseph Noyes Sen.
Peter Haynes Sen. [or Noyes].
Mathew Rice.
John Allen.
Mathew Gibbs sen.
Thomas Rice.
James Rice sen.
Joseph Curtis.
Josiah Haynes sen.
(State Archives, vol. xxxvi., p. 59.)
Thomas Walker.
John Barrer.
Samuel Glover.
Joseph Gleason sen.
Thomas Rutter.
Joseph Rutter.
Benjamin Wight.
Peter Plympton.
Israel 3Iiller.
Stephen Cutts.”
Names familiar on the east side are also found
among those who performed ranger services at Rut-
land in 1724.
48
WAYLAND.
Education. — About the boginniDg of tbe eigh-
teenth century there was an increased interest in the
matter of education. Comparatively little was done
before by way of providing public schools. Previous
to tliis time encouragement, we conclude, was given to
Mr. Thomas Walker, to keep a “ free school in town.”
It is stated that Mr. Walker taught the youth to
“ write and cyi)her ; ” and that besides this service
there were two “ school dames on each side of the
river that teacheth small children to spell and read.”
After 1700 new school laws were enacted by the
Province; and about that time Mr. Joseph Noyes
was chosen a grammar school-master. For a time
schools were kept in private houses ; hut by 1725 'he
town had voted that each precinct he empowered
to build a school-house. In 1729 a vote was passed
by which there was to he built in the East Precinct a
school-house ‘‘18 ft. wide" by 22 ft. long and 8 ft.
between joints, with a good brick chimney and fire-
place at one end and a place to hang a bell at the
other end.” Py 1735 two school-masters were em-
ployed in each precinct at a salary of £G0 each.
In 1751 the selectmen agreed ‘‘ with Mr. W“. Cook
[only son of Rev. Mr. Cook] to keep a grammar
school ... for six months, beginning the school
the first day of November; and also to teach children
& youth to Read English and wright and Instruct
them in Rethmetick, and to keep the school in the
Town School House as the Selectmen shall from time
to time order For the sum of Twelve pounds
Exclusive of his Board.” It was voted that year
that the grammar schools should he kept in
the two town school-houses by each meet-
ing-house. This shows us where two of the town
school-houses stood at that time ; and this, with other
records, show that school matters were at that time
conducted by the Board of Selectmen. Another record
of 175(5 shows where two other school-houses stood,
inasmuch as the town voted that year that the gram-
mar school should be kept at four places, — “two at
the school-houses near the meel,ing-house, one at the
school-house near Joseph Smith’s, and the other at j
that near Nathan Goodnow’s.” John Monroe was to
keep the school, and have five pounds, thirteen
shillings, four pence for a quarter, and the tow’n was
to pay his hoard.
In 1755 the town “ voted for Grammar school 30
pounds, three-fifths to be spent on the west side, and
two fifths on the east side of the river; for the west
side the school w’as to he kept at the farm.” In 1752
it “ voted for the support of the Grammar school in
sd town the year ensuing 37 pounds, 6 shillings, 8
pence.” The school was to be held in five places, —
“ two on the east side of the river and three on the
west, in places as followeth : In the school-house near
the hou.se of Mr. Joseph Smith, and in a convenient
place or near the house of Dea. Jonas Brewer as may
be, or in a convenient place as near the house of
Mr. Edward More as may be, and in a convenient
place as near the house of L* Daniel Noyes as may
he, and in the school-house near to and northerly from
the house of Dea Jonathan Rice all in sd town.”
The same year the town voted that “the Reading &
writing school should he kept In the two Town school
houses the year ensuing.” During this j)eriod several
school-houses were built, w hith stood about half a
century.
A prominent man who taught school in toivn, and
who tradition says lived on the east side, was Samuel
Paris, who was prominently connected with the
witchcraft delusion. In the household of Mr. Paris
at his former home, in what was once Salem Village
(now Danvers), the Salem witchcraft sen.«ation began.
The records state that in 1717, Mr. Samuel Paris
was to teach school four months of the year at the
school-house on the west side of the river, and the
rest of the year at his own house. If he was absent
part of the time, he was to make it up the next year.
In Book HI., Sudbury Records, we have the following
statement, with date May 25, 1722; “These may cer-
tify that ye 28 pounds that ye town of Sudbury
agreed to give Mr. Samuel Paris late of Sudbury,
for his last yeares keeping school in s'* town, is by
ISIr. John Clapj), treasurer for said town by his self
and by his order all paid as witness my hand, John
Rice, executor of ye last will and Testament of ye s'*
Mr. Paris.”
There are graves of the Paris family in the old
biirying-ground at Wayland. Towards the southeast
side of it stands a stone with the following inscrip-
tion: “Here lyes ye Body of Samuel Paris, Who
Died July 27“’ 1742 in y® 8'*’ year of his age.” On
another stone is marked ; “ Here lyes ye Body of Mrs.
Abigail Paris who departed this life February ye 15'“
1759 in ye 55'“ year of her age.”
As the years advanced school privileges increased.
The town was divided into districts, in each of which
a substantial school-house was built. For a time the
Centre School-house was situated a few feet easterly
of the Massachusetts Central Railroad, and was subse-
I quently used as a grocery store by tbe late Newell
Heard. In 1841 a private academy was kept by Rev.
Leonard Frost in the Town House, w’hich had at one
time one hundred and seven pupils. In 1854 the
town established a High School and erected a commo-
dious building just south of the Congregational
Church. Among its early principals,' who were natives
of the town, were Miss Lydia R. Draper and Miss
I Anna Dudley.
Ecclesiastical. — On May 22, 1705, Rev. James
Sherman was dismissed from the pastorate, and No-
vember 20, 1706, Rev. Israel Loring was installed as
j his successor. Shortly after the occurrence of these
events a movement was made to divide the town of
Sudbury into an East and West Precinct. The division
w’as accomplished about 1723, and although Mr.
I Loring was invited to remain, he moved to the west
1 side of the river, and identified his interests with the
THE OLD RED STORE,
Wayland.
See page 209.
WAYLAND.
49
West Precinct. While at the east side he resided at
the house which the town had j)rovided for Rev.
James Sherman. Concerning the division, the church
records kept by Mr. Loring state as follows :
“ Feb. 11. 1-23.
“The Church met at my house, where, after the brethren on the
East Side had manifested their desire that the church might be divided
into two churches, it was so voted by majority.”
When the effort to secure the services of Mr. Loring
proved futile, a call was extended to Rev. William
Cock, a native of Hadley, 51 ass., and a graduate
of Harvard College. The call being accepted, 5Ir.
Cook was ordained 5Iarch 20, 1723, and continued
t'heir pastor until his death, Nov. 12, 1760.
The town granted £80 to support preaching on both
sides of the river for half a year.
After the setting off of the West Parish, it was con-
sidered advisable to move the East Side meeting-
house nearer the centre of the East Precinct. Jan-
uary 29, 1721-22, “the town by a vote showed its
willingness and agreed to be at the charge to pull
down y' old meeting-house and remove it south and
set it up again.” At the same meeting they chose a
committee to petition the General Court for permis-
sion. In a paper dated December 28, 1724, and
signed by Mr. Jennison, Zechariah Heard and
Phineas Brintnal, it is stated that they were “the
committee who pulled down and removed the old
meeting-house in the East Precinct of Sudbury.’’
About 1725 was recorded the following receipt : “ Re-
ceived from 5Ir. John Clap, late treasurer of the town
of Sudbury, the sum of four hundred pounds in full,
granted by said town to carry on the building of a
meeting-house in the East Precinct in said town.
We say received by us, Joshua Haynes, Ephraim
Curtis, John Noyes, Samuel’^Jrave-i, Jonathan Rice,
Committee.” This building was located at what is
now Wayland Centre, on the corner lot just south of
the old Town House. The town instructed the com-
mittee “to make it as near as they can like the new
house in the West Precinct, except that the steps
“are to be hansomer; ” it was also to have the same
number of pews.
Thus at last both precincts were provided with new
meeting-houses, and a matter was settled that had oc-
casioned much interest and more or less activity for
nearly a quarter of a century. Doubt less participants
in the affair at the beginning and during its progress
had passed away, and, before its settlement, worshiped
in a temple not made with hands, whose Builder and
5Iaker is God. The intercourse between the two
precincts was pleasant, and for a while the ministers
exchanged once a month. For years the salaries of
the two pastors were equal, and again and again is
there a receipt on the town-book for eighty pounds
for each.
French and Indian Wars. — In the inter-colonial
conflicts known as the French and Indian Wars the
East Precinct bore its proportionate part. On the
muster-rolls of the town East Side names repeatedly
appear. Shoulder to shoulder men marched to the
front, and as townsmen and kindred endured in com-
mon the rigors of those arduous campaigns. At the
disastrous occurrence at Halfway Brook, near Fort
Edward, July 20, 1758, where the lamented Captain
Samuel Dakin fell, the East Precinct lost Lieutenant
Samuel Curtis, who, with eighteen men, had joined
Captain Dakin’s force but a short time previous.
Among the reported losses on the same occasion were
William Grout, Jonathan Patterson, Nathaniel 5Ioul-
ton and Samuel Abbot. 5Iost of the men in the East
Precinct in both the alarm and active list of militia
turned out for service at the alarm about Fort Wil-
liam Henry.
In 1760, Rev. William Cook died. That year the
town voted “ sixty-five pounds to each of the Rev'*
ministers for the year ensuing, including their salary
and fire wood ; in case they or either of them should
decease before the expiration of the year, then they
or either of them to receive their salary in propor-
tion during the time they shall live and no longer.”
This may indicate that their death was anticijiated.
Another record indicates that 5Ir. Cook had been sick
some time when this vote was passed, as the town-
book goes on to state: “The same meeting granted
thirty-three pounds, six shillings, six pence to pay
persons who had supplied the pulpit in 5Ir. Cook's
confinement, and also granted thirty pounds more to
supply the pulpit during his sickness, and chose a
committee to provide preaching in the meantime.”
5Iay 11, 1761, the town appropriated seventeen
pounds, six shillings, eight pence “out of the money
granted for the Rev. 5Ir. Cook’s salary in the year
1760, to defray his funeral expenses.”
5Ir. Cook had one .son who taught the grammar-
school for years in Sudbury, and died of a fever in
1758. After the decease of 5Ir. Cook, another min-
ister was soon sought for on the east side. A little
disturbance, and perhaps delay, was occasioned by a
petition sent to the General Court relating to the set-
tlement of another minister on the east side the
river. But the matter was amicably adjusted by a
vote of the town, whereby it decided “not to send an
agent to the General Court to show cause or reason
why the petition of Deacon Adam Stone and others
relating to the settlement of a Gospel minister on the
East side the river should not be granted.” The town
furthermore voted, that the “ prayers of the petition
now in Court should be granted. Provided the Court
would Grant and confirm the like Privilege to the
West Church and Congregation when there shall be
reason. John Noyes 5Ioderator.”
The way cleared of obstructions, a new pastor was
soon found. Choice was made of Rev. Josiah Bridge.
October 14, 1761, Captain 5Ioses 5Iaynard was al-
lowed twelve shillings “ for his travel to Lunenburg
to wait on 5Ir. Bridge;” and, at the same meeting, it
was “voted to grant to 5Ir. Bridge his settlement and
50
WAYLAND.
salary as he had contracted with the East Precinct
for, and ordered the assessors to assess the inhabitants
of the town for tlie same.” Mr. Bridge was a native
of Lexington, and gradujite of Harvard College in
1758. He was ordained November 4, 1761.
Revolutionary War. — In the Revolutionary
War the east side shared in common with the west
side the deprivations and hardships incident to that
protracted and distressing period. In the matter of
men, the east side was represented on April 19, 1775,
by two distinct companies, besides having its share of
soldiers in two companies that were made up of men
from both sides of the river. The two distinct com-
panies were a minute-company of forty men, com-
manded hy Captain Nathaniel Cudworth, and a
militia company of seventy-five men, commanded hy
Captain Joseph Smith. The companies representing
both the east and west sides were a company of mili-
tia of ninety-two men, under command of Captain
Moses Stone; and a troop of horse of twenty-two men
under command of Captain Isaac Loker. The com-
pany of Captain Smith, it is supposed, attacked the
British on the retreat from Concord at Merriam's
Corner; and the company of Captain Cudworth at
Hardy’s Hill, a short distance beyond. Both of these
engagements were of a spirited nature ; in the former
two British soldiers were killed and several of the
officers wounded. After the 19th of April the east
side soldiers were still in readiness for service. Cap-
tain Cudworth became major in Colonel Jonathan
Brewer’s regiment, and Lieutenant Thaddeus Russell,
of Captain Cudworth’s former company, secured the
re-enlistment of most of the company and was made
captain of it. His company consisted of forty-nine
men when he reported for duty April 24th. His lieu-
tenant was Nathaniel Maynard and his ensign Na-
thaniel Reeves.
These soldiers did valiant services at the Battle of
Bunker Hill. They were in the regiment of Colonel
Brewer, on the left of the American line to the north-
erly of the summit. Their position was very much
exposed; a part of the line had not the slightest pro-
tection. The only attempt that was made to construct
a breastwork was by the gathering of some newly-
mown hay that was scattered about the place ; but
they were prevented from the completion of even such
a slight breastwork as this. The foe advanced and
they were compelled to desist. But no exposure to
the fire of well-disciplined, veteran troops, and no
lack of breastwork protection ied those brave Middle-
sex colonels and companies to turn from or abandon
this important position. Says Drake, “ Brewer and
Nixon immediately directed their march lor the un-
defended opening so often referred to between the
rail-fence and the earthwork. They also began the
construction of a hay breastwork, but when they had
extended it to within thirty rods of Prescott’s line the
enemy advanced to the assault. The greater part of
these two battalions stood and fought here without
cover throughout the action, both oflicers and men dis-
playing the utmost coolness and intrepidity under
fire.” The same author also says of Gardiner, Nixon
and Brewer, “Braver ollicers did not unsheathe a
sword on this day; their battalions were weak in
numbers, but, under the eye and example of such
leaders, invincible.”
As the war progressed the east side soldiers still
gallantly served. Captains Nathauial Maynard and
Isaac Cutting each commanded a company in 1778,
and in the muster-rolls presented to the town of Sud-
bury, of that year, we have given by these captains
132 names.
Incorporation of East Sudbury. — In 1780 the
town of Sudbury was divided, and the east side became
East Sudbury. The proposition came before the town
by petition of John Tilton and others, June 25, 1778,
in the east meeting-house. “The question w.as put
whether it was the minds of the town, that the town
of Sudbury should be divided into two towns, and it
was passed in the affirmative. And appointed the fol-
lowing gentlemen to agree on a division line and re-
port at the adjournment of this meeting, viz. : Colonel
Ezekiel How, Capb Richard Heard, M^ Nathan Lor-
ing, M^ Phinehas Glezen, M^ John Maynard and
AP. John j\Ieriam.” The committee reported that
they were not agreed as to the line of division.
At a meeting held Jan. 1, 1779, the town appointed
Major Joseph Curtis, Thomas Plympton, Esq., Mr.
John Balcom, Capt. Richard Heard and Capt. Jona-
than Rice to agree on a line of division. At the same
meeting measures were taken to petition the General
Court. Strong opposition at once manifested itself,
and the town was warned to meet at the West meeting-
house December 6th, —
“ 18*. To choose a moderator.
“ 2^. To see if the town w ill choose a Committee to act in behalf of
this Town at the Great and General Court of this State to Oppose a Di'
▼ieion of s’i Town, and give the Coni*«« So chosen Such lustniction Re-
lating to said affiiir as the Town may think proper, and grant a Sum of
Money to Enable said Com^ to Carry on Said Business.”
The meeting resulted as follows :
“1*'. Chose Asahel Wheeler moderator.
“2'^. Colonel Ezekiel Howe, M*". W“. Rice, Juu^ and Thomas Plymp-
ton, Esq., a committee for the Purpose contained in this article, and
granted the sum of three hundred Pounds to Enable their Com**® to
Ciirry on said affair ; then adjourned this meeting to tomorrow, at
three oclock, at the same place.
Tuesday, Decern^ 7th. The Town met according to adjournment,
proceeded and gave their Com*®* Chosen to oppose a division of this
Town, &c., tlie following Instructions, viz. :
“ To Col®. Ezekiel Uowe, Thus. Plympton, Esq. and M*. Rice, Ju'.,
you being chosen a Com*«« by the Town of Sudbury to oppose a division
of s'* Town, as Lately Reported by a Com*®* of the Hon^* General Court
of this State.
“ You are hereby authorized and Instructed to preferr a Petition or
memorial to the General Court in behalf of Said Town. Praying that
the Bill for Dividing Town May he set a fire or altred setting forth
the Great Dismlvantages the Westerly part of the Town will Labour
under by a DiviMon of said Town, as reported by Coni*««, viz. : as said
report deprives them of all the gravel, aud obliges them to maintaia the
one half of the Great Causeways on the Easterly part of said Town not-
withstanding the necessary repairs of the Highways on the westerly
part of said Town are nearly double to that on the East.
” Said Report also deprives them of the Pound, it also deprives them
3
WAYLAND.
51
of a Training-field though Given by the Proprietors of Said Town to the
Westerly side for a Training-field lor Ever.
“ And further, as there is no provision made in said report for the Sup-
port of the Poor in Said Tow n which will be a verry heavy burthen to
the West side of the Town us the report now stands. Also, at said ad-
journment, the Town Granted the sum of three Hundred pounds, in ad-
dition to the other Grant of three Hundred Pounds to Enable their
C!om'» to carry on said Petition.
“Then the town by their vote dissolved this meeting.”
But, notwithstanding the vigorous protest made by
prominent citizens, their arguments did not prevail
■with the Court, and an article was passed April 10,
1780, which authorized a division of the town. A
committee was appoiiited by the town to consider a
plan for the division ofproperty andan equitable adjust-
ment of the obligations of the east and west parts of
the town. At an adjourned meeting, held March 14th,
the committee rendered the following report, which
was accepted and agreed upon :
“ We, the Subscribers, being appointed a committee to Join a Com*««
from East Sudbury to make a Division of the Money and Estate belong-
ing to the Town of Sudbury and East Sudbury, agreeable to an Act of
the General Court Passed the 10*^ of 1780, for Dividing the Town
of Sudbury, preceded and agreed as followeth, viz. : that all the Money
Due on the Bonds and Notes, being tbe Donation of Mary Doan to Ibe
East Side of the River, be Disposed of to East Sudbury according to the
will of the Donor. And the money Due on Bonds and Notes, given by
Mr. Peter Noyes and Capt. Joshua Haynes, for the Benefit of the Poor
and Schooling, be Equally Di\ided between Each of the Towns, which
Sum is : 3 : 4. That all the Money Due on Bonds and Notes for the
New Grant Lands, or Money Now in the Treasury, or in Constables’
hands, be Equally Divided between Each of Said Towns, which Sums
are as follows, viz. :
“ Due on New Grant Bonds and Notes, 133 : 14 : 7
Due from Constable, 3110 : 10 : 7
Due from the Town Treasurer, 348 : 6:5
“ And tljat all Land that belonged to the Town of Sudbury, or for the
benefit of the Poor, sliall be Divided agreeable to the Act of the General
Court for Dividing Said Town. And that the Pound and Old Bell, and
the Town Standard of Weights aad Measures which belonged to tbe
Town of Sudbury, be sold at publick vandue and the proceeds to be
Equally divided betw'een the towns of Sudbury and East Sudbury.
“ Also, that the Town Stock of Anns and Amunition be Divided as set
forth in the Act of the General Court for Dividing the Town of Sudbury.
And if any thing shall be made to appear to be Estate or property that
Should belong to the town of Sudbury before the Division of the above
articles, it Shall be Equally Divided between the Town of Sudbury and
the Town of East Sudbury. And that the Town of East Sudbury shall
Supjjort and Maintain as their Poor During their Life, the Widow Vick-
ry and Abigail Isgate, And all Such Persons as have Gained a Residence
in tbe Town of Sudbury before the division of Town, and shall here-
after be brought to the Town of Sudbury or the Town of East Suubury,
as their Poor Shall be Supported by that Town in which they Gained
their Inhabitauce. Also, that the Debts Due from Said Town of Sud-
bury Shall be paid, tbe one lialf by the Town of Sudbury, and tbe other
half by the Town of East Sudbury, which Sum is 2977 : 7 : 1.
“Asher Cutler Asahel Wheeler \
“Tho« Walker Isaac Maynard ^ Commillee''
“ James Thomson J
Other committees concerning the matter of divi-
sion were appointed the same year. The assessors were
to make a division with East Sudbury of the men re-
quired of Sudbury and East Sudbury for three years;
also to make division of clothing, beef, etc., required
of said town. A committee, April 23, 1781, made the
following finantial exhibit:
** Due to Sudbury in tbe Constable’s and Treasurer’s
hands £1487 . 9 . 10
That the town bad to pay the sum of 1661 , 19 . 5
Sudbury’s part of the Powder 1 12 lbs.
Their part of the Lead 394 lbs.
their part of the Guns on hand 4
The old Bell, Pound and Town Standard of Weights
and Measures sold for £1183 , 10 . 0
Sudbury’s part of the above sum is 391 . 15 . 0
Received of money 27 . 0.0
The charge of sale 20 . 8 . 0
The remainder to be paid by the treasurer of E. Sudbury.
Money due to the tow n in M^ Cutler’s hands taken out of
the State Treasury for what was advanced by the Tow'ii
of Sudbury for the Support of Soldiers’ families who
are in the Continental Army. 1206 . 2 . 0.”
In the division Sherman’s Bridge was left partly in
each town, and the river formed about half the town’s
eastern boundary.
June 19, 1801, Rev. Josiah Bridge passed away at
the age of sixty-two. The following persons have
served as his successors in the pastorate: Rev.s. Joel
Foster, John B. Wight, Richard T. Austin, Edmund
H. Sears, George A. AV'illiams, Samuel D. Robins,
James H. Collins, William M. Salter, Edward J.
Y^oung, N. P. Gilman, Herbert Mott.
Soldiers of 1812. — The following meu were vol-
unteers in the War of 1812 : Abel Heard, James
Draper, Rufus Goodnow. The following men were
drafted : Reuben Sherman, Daniel Hoven, John
Palmer. The first served, the last two procured the
following substitutes: Cephas Moore, Jonas Abbot.
June 1, 1814, the frame of a new meeting-house
was raised. The structure was completed January
19th and dedicated January 24, 1815, on which day
Rev. John B. Wight was ordained. This building is
the one now in use by the First Parish or Unitarian
Church. Before the erection of this meeting-house
there was a prolonged discussion as to where it should
be placed. It is stated that a seven years’ contest
preceded the decision, and that on thirty-four occa-
sions the question was discussed as to which side of
the brook the building should stand on. About the
time of the completion of the new meeting house the
old one was conveyed to J. F. Heard and Luther
Gleason, who were to remove it and provide a hall in
the second story for the free use of the town for thirty
years. It was known for many years as the old Green
store. It is the first building easterly of the Unitarian
Church, and now the summer residence of Mr. Wil-
lard Bullard. The land on which the old meeting-
house stood was sold to Mr. James Draper, who about
1840, erected a new building on a part of the same,
which contained a Town Hall, school-room and ante-
rooms for the use of the town. The building cost
$1700, and was first used for town-meetings November
8, 1841, and served the town for that purpose till the
erection of the new building in 1878.
In 1835 the town took the name of Wayland, after
President Francis Wayland, of Brown University,
and the generous donor to the Public Library. In
1851 an invitation was extended to Dr. Wayland to
visit the place, which was accepted August 2(jlh of
that year. The occasion was observed in a marked
52
WAYLAXD.
manner by the people who assembled together to wel-
come him. ^
Formation of the Evangelical Trinitarian I
Church. — May 21, 1828, a new church was organized
called the Evangelical Trinitarian Church. The fol-
lowing are the names of the original members : Wil-
liam Johnson, Edward Rice, Ira Draper, Esther
Johnson, Nancy Rice, Ruth Willis, Sus.in Roby,
Susan Grout, Eunice Rutter, Sophia Moore, Betsey
Allen, Elizabeth Shurtliff, Martha Jones, Eliza New-
ell, IMartha Carter, Fanny Rutter, Sophia Cutting,
Abigail Russell.
The February previous to the act of church organi- [
zation, a hall, belonging to Luther Gleason, was made
use of for religious ])urposes. The first preaching
service was held by Rev. Lyman Beecher. Subse-
quently the tavern hall was engaged for religious
meetings, in which there was preaching by various
persons. Very soon eflbrts were put forth for the
erection of a chapel, which was completed by Jlay
21, 1828, at winch time it was dedicated. In 1834
and 1835 funds were collected for building a meeting-
house; $3000 was secured and the house was soon
erected. S. Sheldon, of Fitchburg, was the builder.
Some of the material grew in Ashburnham, and wiis
hauled in wagons a distance of forty miles. The
building spot was given by Samuel Russell. The
house was dedicated July 22, 1835, and four days
afterwards no bill relating to the work remained un-
paid. The bell, which weighed 1100 pounds and
cost $400, was procured in 1845. It was subsequently
broken, and in 1874 was re-cast. The following is
the succession of pastors, with the date at which their
service began : Revs. Levi Smith, June, 1828; La-
vius Hyde, July 22, 1835; John Wheelock Alien,
December 29, 1841 ; Henry Allen, September 30,
1852; Adin H. Fletcher, ; Henry Bullard,
October 1, 1863; Ellis R. Drake, November 10, 1868;
Truman A. Merrill, April 27, 1873 ; Robert F. Gordon,
settled November, 1888. The parish connected with
the new church was organized April 5, 1828, at the
house of William Johnson, and was cailed the Evan-
gelical Society of East Sudbury.
The Civil War. — In the great Civil War the
town of Wayland took an active part. Repeatedly,
her quota was made up wholly or in part of her sub- i
stantial citizens. The total number of men furnished
for these quotas was 129, of which seventy were from
Wayland. Of this latter number, twelve were killed
in battle or died in the service. The patriotic senti-
ment of the town was of a fervid nature, and found
e.xpression from time to time in a way to enkindle
enthusiasm and encourage enlistment. Men left the
farm and the work-shop. The young men turned
from the quiet of the ancestral homestead to the tu-
mult of the camp and the stirring scenes of the front.
Some of these soldiers su.Tered the privations of the
shameful and pestilential “ prison pens ” of the South ;
some came home wounded to die ; and some found a
soldier’s resting-place on the soil they sought to save.
Not only did the men well perform their part during
the war, but tbe women also wrought nobly. They
were organized as a “Soldiers’ Aid Society ” and
“Soldiers’ Relief Society,” and furnished such sup-
plie.s for camp and hospital as their willing hearts and
hands could contrive and furnish. Clothing, medi-
cine and miscellaneous articles were generously con-
tributed, and the soldiers of Wayland had substantial
reasons for believing that their friends at home were
not forgetful of them. The total amount raised by
the town’s people for recruiting purposes was $18,000.
The following is a list of Wayland men who were
either killed in battle or died of wounds or sickness :
Benjamin Corliss^ sickness ; Sumner Aaron Pavis, killed in battle ;
George Taylor Dickey, sickness ; William Dexter Drav>er, wounds and
sickness; Elias Whitfield Farmer, sickness; William Thomas Barlow,
sickness; Edward Thomas Loker, Andersonville Prison; John Melleii,
killed in battle ; James Alvin Bice, killed in battle ; Hinim Leonard
Thni'ston, sickness; Alpheus Bigelow Wtdlington, killed in battle;
James Dexter Loker, sickness.
The town has honored her soldiers by the publica-
tion of a volume, giving a biographical sketch of each,
with an outline of his military service. The book is
entitled “ Wayland in the Civil War,” and is dedi-
cated as follows: “ To the Heroic men whose deeds
are here recorded, whether returning in the glory of
victory from battle-fields or leaving their bodies in
honored graves.”
R.vilro.ads. — In 1869 the Massachusetts Central
Railroad was chartered, and Oct. 1, 1881, regular trains
ran over the road. May 16, 1883, the cars ceased run-
ning, and commenced again Pept. 28, 1885, under the
management of the Boston and Lowell Railroad. Re-
cently the road had come under the control of the
Boston and Maine Company, and exce'lent accom-
modations are afforded. There is a tastily built depot
at Wayland Centre, kept in an exceptionally orderly
manner by the station agent, Mr. Frank Pousland,
who has thus officiated for the company since the
opening of the road.
The town subscribed for three hundred and twenty-
five shares of the stock. Mr. James Sumner Draper
was one of the original directors and an early and
earnest promoter of the road. Subsequently, litiga-
tion occurred between the town and the Railroad Com-
pany concerning the former’s liability to pay the full
amount subscribed for the stock, the objection of the
town being that, because of the circumstances of the
road, a fair equivalent had not been received for the
money demanded.
Public Libraries. — Wayland has the honor of
establishing the first Free Public Library in the State.
It was founded in 1848, and opened for the delivery
of books Aug. 7, 1850. The first funds were given by
Francis Wayland, D.D., late Professor of Brown
University, who offered $500 in case the town would
raise a similar sum. It was voted to accept of the
proposition of Dr. Wayland, and $500 was raised by
subscription and given to the town to meet the stip-
Evangelical Trinitarian Church
uhlted condition. The library was kept in the old
Town Hall till the completion of the new one, when
it was removed to the commodious apartment pre-
pared for it in that building. It is stated that the
difficulties incident to the estabiishement of this
library were, through the agency of Rev. J. B. Wight,
the cause of such legislative action as enables any
city or town to establish and maintain a library for
the free use of the inhabitants at public expense.
In 18G3, James Draper, deacon of the first Church
in Wayland, gave $500 as a permanent fund, the in-
terest of which was to be expended annually in the
purchase of books for the library.
Prior to the establishment of this library fhe peo-
ple of East Sudbury believed in the benefits of a free
use of good books by the community. As early as
April 6, 1796, what was called the “ East Sudbury
Social Library Association ” was formed. It had
thirty-two original members, who paid a member-
ship fee of $4, with annual assessment of twenty-five
cents. In 1832 the library contained 227 volumes,
and was kept at the private houses of the successive
librarians. When Rev. J. B. Wight came to Way-
land he made a collection of moral and religious
books for the free use of the citizens, which increased
to 300 volumes. The books were kept first at Mr.
Wight’s house, and afterwards at the Unitarian
meeting-house; 71 of the books are now in the Town
Library. In 1845 the town procured a small library
for each of the six school districts, for the use of schol-
ars and others. These libraries contained about 60
volumes each. In 1851, by vote of the town, they
w’ere placed in the Town Library.
New Town Hall. — In 1878 a new Town Hall was
erected. The plan was made by George F. Fuller, of
Boston, and William R. Stinson, of Malden, was the
contractor. The building cost $9700. It was com-
menced in May, completed October 26th, and dedi-
cated Dec. 24, 1878. The address was given by Mr.
Elbridge Smith, a native of Wayland, and principal
of the Dorchester High School.
Borying-Gkounds. — The first burial-place is on
the north side of the road leading to Sudbury Centre,
and about a half-mile from the railroad station. It
has the general appearance of an old-time graveyard.
The wild grass covers the toughened and irregular sod,
and the uneven surface of the ground indicates that it
was long, long ago broken by the sexton’s spade.
These indications of the existence of old graves are
correct. It was the burying-ground of the settlers,
and here — ,
“ Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap,
Each in his narrow cell forever laid,
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.”
The older part of this cemetery lies near or beside
the county highway, and may be the half-acre bought
of John Loker for a burial-place. Tradition says that
prior to the selection of this spot a few interments
were made just over the hill to the north, where tra-
dition also states that there was an Indian graveyard.
These traditions have perhaps some confirmation in
the fact that on the northern hillside remains of
human skeletons have been exhumed. Au old citi-
zen, ^Ir. Sumner Draper, states that in his boyhood,
when men were at work in the gravel i)it in what was
known as the “old Indian graveyard,” he saw bones
which they dug up, that he thought belonged to
several human skeletons, and that he had himself in
later years dug up a human skull. He also stated
that there were two or three flat stones on some
graves, which he believed were without any inscrip-
tion, and that he thought some such stones were re-
moved from the spot long ago.
The town owned thereabouts two or three acres of
land, which was generally known as the “old Indian
graveyard.” But if this land was reserved by the
settlers for a burial-place, it was not long made use
of; for the southerly slope was soon set apart for this
purpose, and has continued to be used for more than
two centuries and a half. Additions have repeatedly
been made to this latter portion, as the generations
have passed away, and new graves have been opened
to receive them ; and thus has the slow, solemn march
of that silent company been moving over that midway
space, until the two portions are almost joined. Be-
sides the age of the yard, there are other things that
make it an interesting spot to the inhabitants of
Wayland. Within its enclosure stood the first meet-
ing house. Here lie buried the bodies of those who
bore the name of Goodnow, Curtis, Grout, Rutter,
Parmenter, Rice, Bent, and others of the early
grantees, besides still others ofSudbury’s most promi-
nent citizens before the division of ihe town. Be-
cause of the interest that thus attaches to the place,
we will give the inscriptions on some of the older
gravestones which lie along the common highway.
ME5IE.NTO 3I0RI.
“ Here lyetho remains of Ephraim Curtis ESQ^ who departed this lyfe
Nov' tlie 17*^* A D 17'^9 in the 80*^ Year of his age. He was a Loving
Husband and a Tender Parent a faithful Friend, as a Justice of the
Peace he Hon’<* his Commission by adhering steadily to the Rules of
Justice, he was Slajor of a Regiment, in which Office he conducted in
sucli a manner as gave General Satisfaction. He was many years Rep-
resentative in the General Court, a lover of True Piety, belovM by all
that knew him and Equally Lamented at his death.”
‘‘Here lea^n
the end of man
Know that thy life
is but a span.”
On this gravestone is a skull and crossbones.
“In memory ofCapt. Joseph Smith Who died March 9*^ 1803, aged 87
years.
“Farewell my dear and loving wife
Farewell my children and my friends
" Until the resurrection day.”
Probably the captain of the east side militia.
“Here lyest y« Body of Abagail Paris wife to Samuel Paris,
who departed this life Feb^y y® 15*^ 1759 in y« Year of her age.”
Probably the wife of the son of Samuel Paris of
witchcraft fame.
■>4
WAYLANI).
“ Here L.ves y« Body of Mi's. Patience Browne wife to Maj' Thomas
Browne Aged 59 years. Died Aug** ye 15, 1706.**
^Slajor Thomas Browne was a very prominent Sue!
bury citizen.
“In memory of Mr. Joseph Butter, who died Dec. 19*** 1781 in y®
7S*^ year of his age.
“Down to the dead, all must descend,
Tile saints of God must die.
While .Angels guard their souls to rest,
In dust their Bodies lie.
“Erected in memory of Mary Butter wife of Mr. Joseph Rutt-r who
died Sept 2®“'^ A. E S2.’*
Joseph Rutter was a descendant and probably
grandson of John Rutter, builder of the first meeting-
house, which stood just beside where the remains of
Joseph Rutter now lie.
“ Memento Mori.
In memory of
IMr. Thomas Bent who died Wed-
nesday morning July the 20*^ 1775.
JEtatis 69.
Our term of time is seventy years
An age that few survive
But it with more than common
strength
To eighty we arrive
Mrs. JIary Bent wife of Mr.
Thomas Bent who died Wednes-
day morning July y® 26*^ 1776
.Etatis 57.
Yet then our boasted strength de-
cays.
To sorrow turns and pain
Sj soon the slender thread is cut
.And we no more remain **
Two notable stones are those that mark the graves
of Caj>t. Edmund Goodnow and wife. They are in a
horizontal position, and just east of the old meeting-
house site. The inscription is rudely cut, and in the
language of other years. It is as follows:
YE- DUST-
“ HEARE-LYETII- PKETIOUS-
XT-
OF-TH.AT-EMENANT-SARVA
OF-
GOD-CAP-EDMCXD-GOODEXOW-
YEARE-
WHO-DIED-YE-77- OF-HIS-
AY'GE-APRIL-YE-6-l()88.”
“ HEKE-r,YETH-YE-BODY'-OF-A\XE-YE
W 1 FE-0 F-CA P-EDMON D-G001)EN’0 W-
WHO-I)VEl)-YE : 9 ; OF ; MARCH 1876; AGEI>-
67-YEARS."
“ HERE-EYETH-YE-BOPY'-OF-JOSEPH-
GOOI)ENOW-WHO-DY ED-YE-30-OE-M AY :
1676 : AGED-31-YEARS. FEBRY-18-1691.”
“Here lies Buried The Body of y« worthy Joshua Haynes Esq De-
ceased March y® 29, 1757 in the 88 year of His Age. He was a Hearty
Promoter of the Public we.nl and Whose . . Humanity, Integrity and
Laudable Munificence Embalm His name. He was charitable to the
Poor and at his Death gave many Gifts to Particular . . Besides 2 Thou-
sand pounds Old Tenor to a Publick School and y® Poor of y« Town of
Sudbury.**
Joshua Haynes was the donor of the fund called,
in the list of bequests to Sudbury, the “ Ancient
Donation Fund.”
“ HERE-LYES-YE-BOUY-OF-MR-JOXATHAN-
SIMPSON-L.ATE-OF-BOSTON-WHO-UE-
PARTED-TH1S-I.1FE-N0VR-1"‘-1773-1N-THE
54U> Y*EAR-OF-IIIS-AGE.
“ Charlestown doth claim his birth,
Boston his habitation ;
Sudbury hath his grave,
Where was his expiration.’*
In 1800 this old burial-place was enlarged by land
purchased of Abel and Luther Gleason, and a strip
of land was bought of the William Noyts heirs, to
connect the yard with the old Indian burying-ground.
In 1835 land was set apart for a new cemetery. It
was purchased of .loseph Bullard, and is situated a
little northerly of Bine Brook, about a quarter of a
mile south of the Centre. In 1871 a cemetery was
laid out at Cochiluatc.
The piety of our ancestors left little room for cus-
toms that were .sensele.ss or uninstructive. If they
were severely solemn, they were devoutly so; and, if
they employed some curious devices, it was for the
promotion of good. The position of their grave-
stones shows that the dead were laid with the feet
toward the east, or, as it was termed, “facing the
east.” Whence and why this custom, we know
not. It might have had reference to the star of the
east that announced the birthplace of Christ; but
whatever the cause, it doubtless was suggested by
some religious idea. To us it is a strong reminder of
the words of John Bunyan: “The pilgrim they laid
in a large upper chamber whose window opened
towards the sun rising; the name of the chamber was
Peace, where he slept till break of day, and then he
awoke and sang.”
The character of the grave-stones was another
peculiarity of those primitive times. It would seem
the object was to impart to these mementos of the
departed the most sombre aspect imaginable. As no
flowers but those that were strewn by God's pitying
hand were ever suffered to intrude their gay, sweet
presence Yvitbin the solemn enclosure, so the nearest
approach to anythiiig like sympathetic embellishment
on those dark slabs was the weeping willow, which
drooped its long branches over a funeral urn. But
the more common ornament was the “ skull and cross-
bones,” under which were uncouth markings and
strange inscriptions. Sometimes the stones were
placed in groups, sometimes in irregular rows. Some
were placed upright and others horizontal on the
ground ; but, as the latter are few and of very early
date, we infer that this mode was exceptional or that
it soon passed out of use. Perhaps it was a wise pre-
caution in those far-off times to protect the grave
from the wild beasts which were prowling about
through the adjacent forests in search of prey.
Another peculiarity is the fewness of the stones in our
old graveyards. A casual glance might lead one to
think they were full of slate-stone slabs, but actual
count gives only a few hundred for all Yvho died in
the first century and a half. Indeed, in the older
portion of East Sudbury grave-j'ard there are only
two or three scores of stones, yet the yard contains
the remains of a large portion of the town’s early
inhabitants, and a new grave can hardly be dug with-
out intruding upon an old one. This seems to show
that the practice of marking graves in old times was
the exception and not the rule. Still another charac-
teristic feature of these ancient grounds was their
barren and neglected aspect. The graves were gradu-
Joseph Bullard,
At the a<>;e oi <S1 .
ally leveled by the touch of time, the ground became
uneven and rough and covered over with briars and
wild grass. Yet we may believe these spots were not
in reality neglected nor forsaken, for, though the
floral and decorative offering w'as a thing unknown>
many an irregular, beaten path testified that the place
of their dead was an oft-frequented spot.
In early times the dead were carried to the place of
burial by the hands of friends. No hearse was used
till about 1800, when one was purchased at a cost of
fifty dollars. In process of time a bier was used, and,
as late as the beginning of this century, the body was
carried on the shoulders of the bearers. In 1715 the
town granted “three pounds for providing a burying
cloth for ye town’s use.” In 1792 it voted to provide
two burying cloths ; these were to throw over the re
mains in their transit to the grave. This is indicated
by the following record :
“Lieut. Thomas Rutter is chosen to dig graves, to
carry the bier and the cloth to the place where the
deceased person hath need of the use thereof, and
shall be paid two shillings and six pence in money
for every individual person.”
In early times, gloves were provided for funeral
occasions. We are informed of this repeatedly by the
records of the town. About 1773, “ To James Brown
for 6 pairs of gloves for Isaac Allen’s child’s funeral —
11—”
“To Col. Noyes for 7 pairs gloves for Isaac Allen’s
burial — 13 — ”
“To Cornelius Wood for 3 pairs gloves for John
Goofienow’s funeral.” This was about 1673.
Almost down to the present time the good old cus-
tom prevailed of ringing the bell on the occasion of a
death. How it used to break into the monotony of
our daily loil to have the silence suddenly broken by
the slow tolling bell, that said plainer than words that
another soul had dropped into eternity. Now a pause
— listen! three times three — a man, or, three times
two — a woman. Another pause, and then strokes
corresponding in number to the years of the deceased.
On the morning of the funeral the bell tolled again,
and also when the procession moved to the grave.
As late as 1860 it was common to have a note read —
“ put up,” the phrase was — in church on the Sabbath
following a death, in which the nearest relatives asked
“ the prayers of the church that the death be sancti-
fied to them for their spiritual good.”
The grounds early used for burial were owmed by
the town and set apart for its common use. No priv-
ate parties possessed “ God’s acre ” then. Proprietary
lots were unknown one hundred years ago. Every
citizen had a right to a spot for burial wherever in the
town’s burying-groun'd the friends might choose to
take it. The rich and poor were alike borne to this
common spot ; caste was laid aside, and nothing save
the slab at the grave’s head might indicate the former
position of the silent occupant of the old-time burial-
place. The graves of households were often in
groups, reminding one of our present family lots, but
this was by common consent, and not by any titled
right to the spot.
The public-hou.se was from an early date considered
in Sudbury an imp jrtant place. In 1653 or 1654 we
find it on record that “John Parmenter, senior, shall
keep a house of common entertainment, and that the
court shall be moved on his behalf to grant a license
to him.”
The business of these places was to provide travelers
with lodging and food, or to furnish “entertainment for
man and beast.” They were to an extent under the
control of the town, as is indicated in a record of Oc-
tober 4, 1684, when it was ordered that upon the “un-
comfortable representations and reports concerning
the miscarriage of things at the Ordinary . . . three
or four of the selectmen, in the name of the rest, do
particularly inquire into all matters relating thereto.”
In all of these taverns strong strong drink was proba-
bly sold. Licenses were granted by the Provincial
or Colonial Court, and the landlords were usually men
of some prominence. Taverns were considered useful
places in the early times, and laws existed relating to
the rights of both landlord and guest. In the period
of the Revolutionary War, when a price-list was de-
termined at Sudbury for various common commodi-
ties, the following was established for taverns:
“1770 — Mugg West India Phlip 15
New England Do 12
Toddy in proportion
A Good Dinner 20
Common Do 12
Best Supper & Breakfast 15 Each.
Common Do 12, Lodging 4.
The “ Parmenter Tavern ” was the first one kept in
town, and was on the late Dana Parmenter estate, a little
westerly of the present Parmenter house. The build-
ing was standing about eighty years since, and was
looking old then. It was a large square house, and in
the bar-room was a high bar. There the council was
entertained which the Court appointed to settle the
famous “ cow common controversy.” Subsequently,
taverns at East Sudbury were kept as follows : one a
little easterly of William Baldwin’s, one at the Centre
called the “ Pequod House,” one at the Reeves’
place, one at the Corner, and one at the end of the old
causeway, near the gravel pit. The tavern at the East
Sudbury Centre was kept nearly a hundred years ago
by John Stone, father of William, who afterwards kept
one at Sudbury.
About 1814 the tavern at the centre was kept by
Heard & Reeves. The building had a two-story front
and ever the kitchen in the rear was a low sloping
roof. The barn stood sideways to the road, with
large doors at each end. In the bar-room was a spa-
cious fire-place where crackled the huge wood-fire on
the stout andirons. Near by were a half-dozen log-
gerheads ready for use whenever the villager, team-
ster or transient traveler came in for his mug of hot
flip. Here more or less of the townspeople gathered
WAYLAM).
at intermission between the long sermons on Sunday,
while their good wives were spending the “ nooning”
at neighbor Russell’s, just over the brook. The boys
bought a small piece of ginger-bread for their lunch,
and while they devoured with avidity the rare morsel
of'boughten” sweet cake, their fathers sat by the
fireside and talked of the war, of the crops and the
cattle. Before departing they showed, in a substan-
tial way, their respect for the landlord and their ap-
preciation of the warmth and cheer of the place by
the purchase of a mug of flip.
The Reeves tavern was situated on the road from
Weston to Framingham, on the “ Old Connecticut
Path.” This was a favorite resting-place for team-
sters and travelers. The last landlord was Squire
Jacob Reeves, a popular citizen of East Sudbury and
an excellent man for his business. He was courteous,
cheerful and kind to his patrons. The confidence
reposed in him by the community as a business man
was evinced by the positions of public trust in which
he was placed. He was town clerk eighteen years,
was justice of the peace and was several times sent as
representative to the General Court. He was also
deacon of the First Parish Church, and it is said that
his character was in harmony with the functions of
his office.
Old Roads. — There are several old roads in town,
some of which have been discontinued, yet of which
brief mention should be made.
Bridle Point Eoad. — This was early constructed.
It began at a point near the Harry Reeves place, and
coming out near the Dr. Ames place, passed between
the present Braman and John Heard places, and ex-
tending along and over the ridge, crossed the site of
the present Sudbury and Wayland highway, a little
east of the Samuel Russell place, and Mill Brook a
little east of its junction with the river. By this way
Rev. Edmund Brown's house was reached at Timber
Neck, and the Rices who lived by the “Spring” after
it was extended to the latter locality, in 1643. It
doubtless also served as a hay-road and a short way
from the centre of the settlement to the “ Old Con-
necticut Path.” Until within less than a century
this road was for a time the regular way to the “Isl-
and.” Before the building of Farm Bridge tradition
says that a fording-place near the new causeway
bridge (Bridle Poinc Bridge) was made use of for
reaching that place; and that the road over the
“Island” passed south of its present course until
near the Abel Heard farm; and beyond the house it
went north of the present road to Lanham.
The road from the centre to the “ Bridge Parson-
age ” (present Wellington place) was laid out about
1770.
In 1773 town action w’as taken relative to the “dis-
continuance of the road from Dr. Roby’s to Zecheriah
Briant’s” (Braman place).
In 1653 “it was voted to accept of a highway laid
out from Pelatiah Dean’s north east corner unto y"
town way leading' from the Training field by Ephraim
Curtis, *Esq., by Lt. Rice’s to Weston.”
The .same date a road was laid out from “ Mr. Jon-
athan Griffin’s Corner running southwesterly into the
way by Mr. Eliab Moore’s north corner, formerly Mr.
John Adams’.”
In early times there was a road from Pine Plain to
the Cakebread Mill, which entered the mill road at a
point just ea.st of the mill.
Traces of this road are still visible by the bank.
It is stated that about 1735-36 there was a change of
highway from Whale’s Bridge over Pine Plain.
In 1736 a new highway is spoken of over Pine
Brook at John Grout’s. Formerly a read passed
northerly from the Pine Plain Road, starting at a
point a little east of Clay-pit Bridge Hill, and passing
“the ponds” went to the north part of the town.
The road from the centre to the south part was early
opened and called “Cotchiuiatt Road.”
The Castle-hill Road is in the town’s northwesterly
part, and probably so called from the peculiar-shaped
hill or knoll along which it passes.
“Northwest Row” was a road still open as a pas-
ture-path or hay-road, from the neighborhood of the
Gleasons to the river meadow' margin.
The new “great road” from Wayland to South
Sudbury was made in the early part of the present
century.
In 1743 an offer was made of land by Edward Sher-
man and John Woodward for a “good and conven-
ient way, two rods wide,” in case the town would
erect a bridge over the river. The same year a sub-
scription was made for a bridge between the land of
John Haynes on the west side of the river and John
Woodward on the east side of the river.
A lane to the Cakebread Mill formerly extended
from the Wayland Weston “Great road,” beginning
at a point just west of Deacon Noyes Morse’s house.
Places of Interest. — Whale’s Bridge. — This is
a small bridge or culvert at the head of the mill-pond,
and early referred to in the town records. It took its
name from Philemon Whale, one of the early settlers,
whose home may have been near by.
Clay-pit Hill. — This is on the east branch of Mill
Brook, about an eighth of a mile above the mill-pond.
There is a bridge near by, called Clay-pit Bridge or
Clay-pit Hill Bridge. Boih of these places took their
names from the clay-pits near by, where bricks were
early made. Other clay-pits were at Timber Neck,
near the junction of Mill Brook and Pine Brook, a
short distance southwesterly of the High School
building.
Pine Plain. — This consists of the plain lands east-
erly of Wayland Centre, in the vicinity of the Sum-
mer Draper place. The locality is early mentioned
in the records, and probably took its name from the
growth of pine forest found there.
Pine Brook. — This is a small stream that skirts a
part of Pine Plain on the easterly. It is crossed by
The Old Dr, Roby House,"
WAYLAND.
57
a small bridge near the Joseph Bullard place, and
just below forms a junction with Mill Brook.
The Training-Field. — This was situated just south of
the Abel Gleason place, and consisted of about nine
acres of land. It was set apart in 1640, and in 1804
was sold to Nathan Gleason.
The Street. — This is that part of the old road of the
settlement which e.xtended from the Parmenter tav-
ern to the town bridge. It was a terra used by the old
inhabitants, and is still familiar in the town.
The Pock Pasture. — This is northerly of Pine Plain,
and now largely abounds with berry bushes or brush-
wood. A small-pox hospital was formerly there, from
which it derives its name. There was also a small-pox
hospital on the “ Island.” Tradition states that the
treatment in the two hospitals was different, and that
in one most of the patients died, and in the other most
of them recovered. There is the grave of a small-
pox patient ju.st east of Bridle Point Bridge.
Ox Pasture. — This was a reservation set apart in
1640 as a common pasture for working oxen. It was
situated between the North and South Streets towards
Mill Brook.
The Ponds. — These are small bodies of water near
the road, now discontinued, that extended from near
Clay-pit Hill to the north |)art of the town.
Bridle Point. — This is often referred t<j in the early
records, and is a well-known anil ancient landmark.
We have no knowledge of the origin of the name. It
is the extremity of the ridge of land by the new
causeway bridge. In a deed of 1666 it was spelled
Bridell Poynt.
The New Causeway. — This, as the name implies, is
the causeway last made, and is on the South Sudbury
and Wayland great road. At the eastern end is the
New Causeway or Bridle Point Bridge.
Farm Bridge. — This is the one that crosses the river
on the road to the “ Farm ” or “ Island.” Recently
a new bridge was constructed, and the causeway about
it was considerably raised to take it above high water.
In 1889 a bridge was built to the easterly of this, to
allow the water to pass off from the meadows more
readily in flood-time. There are also other bridges
for this purpose on the other causeways that are call-
ed “ dry bridges,” under which little or no water pass-
es in a dry time.
The Common. — This public pro[)erty was so called
because it was “ the town’s Conmiou land.” The
term, formerly, did not simply refer to a village green,
but to all the land that was held in common by the
early settlers. The old Common was at the centre,
and contained about one acre of land that was bought
by the town in 1725-27, “as a site, ordered by a com-
mittee of the General Court, on which to jilace the
meeting-house.” It was also to be used as a training-
field. It was nearly square, and bounded southerly by
the Farm road, easterly by the great road. The north
line, it is stated, would come within about fifteen feet
of L. K. Lovell’s house; while the south line, or that
on the Farm road, extended from the corner to just
beyond the house recently occupied hy iMrs. Josiah
Russell. At the southwest corner stood the school-
house; and at the southeiist corner the old meeting-
house, which was removed about 1814. This land, as
before stated, was sold to Dea. James Draper. The
meeting-house was not moved entire, but Wiis taken
to pieces and set up without the replacement of some
of its original external ornaments. When in its new
position it had a common gable roof with slight pedi-
ments and covings, and stood fronting the main street
nearly on a line with the fence by the sidewalk as it
is at present. It had a projecting porch on the front
and also on each end. It had eight windows in front,
four on each end, four on the back, one large circular
top window back of the pulpit, and a semi-circular
one in each gable end. It had neither stee[)le, turret
nor chimney; and near the beginning of the present
century its paint was so weather-beaten as to make
the original color quite indistinct. A fine sycamore
tree stood just back of the pul[)it window, and as it
towered high above the building added very much to
the otherwise plain appearance of the place. On the
corner just south of the meeting-house, near the spot
now occupied by Mellin’s “law office,” stood the
“ Pound.” Just beyond the brook, on the right, stood
the Samuel Russell house, with two stories in front
and one hack, within which the church-going dames
gathered on a cold Sunday to fill their foot-stoves
with coals. There they also talked of the sick and
bereaved, for whom prayers may have been offered at
the morning service, and other matters of interest and
curiosity.
The Village Grocery. — In the early part of the pres-
ent century a small West India and dry-goods store
was kept by Heard & Reeves. Later it had but one
[iroprietor, and was known as “Newell Heard’s
store.” It was a low, red building, and stood a few
feet southeasterly of the present railroad station. It
was a genuine country grocery ; and old inhabitants
still remember the tall, slim form of “ UncleNewell,”
as he was familiarly styled, who was in stature a typi-
cal Heard. Mr. Heard was cross-eyed, which may
have given rise to the story among the small boys that
he could see in different directions at the same time.
This store was a great resort for the staid villagers,
who, on a, fall or winter evening, gathered there, and
many is the grave question of church and state that
has been settled by the social group as it sat on the
nail-kegs about the fire of that old-time grocery-store.
After the proprietor’s death the building was removed,
and a part of it is now on the premises of L. K.
Lovell.
PHY.sicrANS. — Ebenezer Roby, M.I). — One of the
most noted physicians of East Sudbury was Dr. Ebe-
nezer Roby. He was born in Boston in 1701, and
graduated in Harvard College in 1719. He settled in
Sudbury about 1725, and in 1730 married Sarah,
daughter of Rev. John Swift, of Framingham. He
58
WAYLANP.
lived ill the old Roby house, which was recently de-
stroyed by fire. lie was prominently connected with
town matters in Sudbury, where he lived and prac-
ticed his profession till his death. He was buried in
the old grave-yard at East Sudbury, and the following
is his epitaph :
“ In memory of Ebenezer Roby, Esq., a Native of Boston New
England.
“ He fixed his residence in Sudbury in the character of a Physician,
where he was long distinguished for his ability and success in the heal-
ing art.
Born Sept 2()*‘‘ 1701
Pied Sept 4'>' 1772 aged 71.**
His son. Dr. Ebenezer Roby, Jr., born in 1732, also
practiced medicine in Sudbury, and died July 16,
1786, aged fifty-four. Dr. /Joseph Roby, son of
Ebenezer, Jr., was a practicing physician in East
Sudbury till 1801.
The following is a specimen of Dr. Roby’s bills.
It was rendered the town for attendance and medicine
furnished to some of the French Neutrals. These un-
fortunates were a part of the Nova Scotia exiles re-
ferred to by Longfellow in his poem “ Evangeline.”
One thousand of them were taken to the Massachu-
setts Ray Province, and supported at public expense.
Diflerent towns, among which was Sudbury, had their
quota to care for :
Mass.^chusetts Pbovince.
“ For medicine and attondaute for the French Neutrals from Nova
Scotia.
“ 1755, Pec. 11 — To Sundry Medicines for French young woman — 27 —
To Po. for girl 6**
“ 1756, March 22, — To Sundry Medicines and Journey in the night
west side tlie river — 0-5-8
“To Sundry Medicines and Journey west side 0-4-0
To Po. 4* To Journey and Medicines 0-7-0
“To Po. J for the old Genlleiiian when he fell off the house and was
greatly bruised and sick of a fever the clavicula being broke.*’
The following are the physicians who succeeded
the Drs. Roby; Nathan Rice, 1800-14; Ebenezer
Ames, 1814-61; Edward Frost, 1830-38; Charles W.
Barnes, 1860-64 ; John McL. Hayward, 1874. Charles
H. Boodey located in Cochituate in 1874, where he
still resides.
Lawyers. — Othniel Tjder, Samuel H. Mann, Ed-
ward IMellen, David L. Child, Richard F. Fuller,
Franklin F. Heard, Gustavus A. Somerby, Richard
T. Lombard, Daniel Bracket, Charles Smith.
Sketches of Pro.minent Persons. — Edward
Mellen, Esq., was born at Westborough, September
26, 1802. He graduated at Brown University in
1823, and went to Wayland November 30, 1830, where
he died May 31, 1875. He was well known in the
legal {irofession. In 1847 he was made justice of the
Court of Common Pleas, and in 1855 was made chief
justice of the same court. In 1854 he received from
his alma mater the degree of LL.D.
Lydia Maria Child, whose maiden-name was Fran-
cis, was born in Medford, Mass. She married David
Lee Child, and went to 5Vayland in 1853. She W'as
celebrated as a writer, and her works have had wide
circulation. She was eminent as an advocate of free-
dom for the black man, and long evinced her sincer-
ity in his cause by substantial labors. She was an
intimate acquaintance of and earnest co-worker with
the prominent anti-slavery advocates of her lime.
Her home was an humble, unpretentious dwelling,
situated about a quarter of a mile east of Sudbury
River, on the Wayland and Sudbury Centre highway.
Connected with her home was a small and tastefully-
kept garden-patch, where she and her husband culti-
vated flowers and a few vegetables in such moments
as they could spare from their busy literary life. It
was no uncommon thing for the passers-by to see one
or both of this aged couple quietly at work in their
little garden-plot, or perhaps toward the close of the
day “ looking toward sunset,” beyond the peaceful
meadows that fringe the bank of Sudbury River.
Since the death of Mr. and Mrs. Child the place has
gone into the possession of Jlr. Alfred Cutting, who
has built an addition to the original structure.
General Mieah Maynard Rutter was a descendant
of John Rutter, who came to America in the ship
“ Confidence,” in 1638. He was born in 1779, and
lived on his farm in what has since been known as
the Rutter District, on the road from Weston “ Cor-
ner ” to the “ Five Paths.” He was a patriotic, pub-
lic-spirited man, and interested in all matters that
concerned the welfare of society. For years he had
the office of sheriff, and received from Governor Lin-
coln the commission of major-general. He died in
1837, anef his remains were interred in the Rutter
family tomb, in the old burying ground.
Franklin Fisk Heard, Esq., was born in Wayland,
and graduated at Harvard L^niversity in 1848. He
studied law and became noted in his profession as a
writer and compiler of works of law. In his latter
years he resided in Boston, where he practiced his
profession until his death, which occurred in 1889.
Dr. Ebenezer Ames was born in Marlboro’ in 1788. He
studied medicine with Dr. Kittredge, of Framingham,
and began the practice of medicine in AVayland in
1814, and died in 1861. He early identified himself
with the Evangelical Trinitarian Church, of which he
was made deacon November 11, 1829. He was some-
what noted as a physician, and had an extensive prac-
tice, not only in Wayland, but in the adjacent towns.
.\s a citizen he was respected by all. He was emi-
nent for his wise counsel and noble, manly character.
As a Chri.stian his conduct was exemplary, and he
was steadfast in what he believed to he right. At
first he lived in the centre village, but soon after
built the house upon the Sudbury and Wayland high-
way, about an eighth of a mile w’esterly, where he
lived and died. His design in building this house
was to provide a home for himself and his minister,
and the west end of it was used as the parsonage for
many years.
Rev. Edmund H. Sears, D.D., was born at Sandis-
field in 1810, graduated at Union College in 1834,
WAYLAND.
59
and at the Harvard Divinity School in 1837. He wa^^
ordained February 20, 1839, and installed at Lancas-
ter December 23, 1840.
Mr. Sears continued pastor of the Old Parish (Uni-
tarian) Church, Wayland, until 1865, when he took
charge of the Unitarian Church at Weston. He was
a useful citizen and greatly esteemed by his fellow-
townsmen. For years he served on the School Com-
mittee and also on the Library Committee, and per-
formed such other services as greatly endeared him to
the people. As a public speaker he displayed great
ability, being substantial in thought and clear and
forceful in expression. As a writer he excelled, and
his books have been popular among those who were ol
his school of theological thinking. He exhibited fine
poetical talent, and some of the sweet hymns of the
church are of his authorship. In theology he was ol
the conservative class of Unitarians. His residence
in Wayland was on the “plain,” about a mile easterly
of Wayland Centre, near the Summer Draper place.
He died at Weston January 16, 1876.
The River IMeadoavs. — These border on Sudbury
River, and are more largely in Wayland than Sud-
bury. They extend, Avith varying width, the entire
length of the river course. In some places they may
narrow' to only a few rods, while in others they ex-
tend from half a mile to a mile, where they are com-
monly called the Broad Meadows. They are widest
below the long causeway and Sherman’s Bridge.
Comparatively little shrubbery is seen on these mea-
doAvs, but they stretch out as grassy plains, uninter-
rupted for acres by scarcely a bu.sh. At an early date
these meadows yielded large crops of grass, and
subsequent years did not diminish the quantity or
quality, until a comparatively modern date. From
testimony given in 1859 before a Legislative Commit-
tee, it appeared that, until within about tiventy-five
years of that time, the meadoAvs i)roduced from a ton
to a ton and a half of good hay to the acre, a fine
crop of cranberries, admitted of “ fall feeding,” and
were sometimes worth about one hundred dollars per
acre. The hay Avas seldom “ poled ” to the upland,
but made on the meadows, from Avhich it was drawn
by oxen or horses. Testimony on these matters was
given before a joint committee of the Legislature,
March 1, 1861, by prominent citizens of Sudbury,
Wayland, Concord and Bedford. Their ojiinions were
concurrent with regard to the condition of things both
past and present.
From evidence it appears that a great and gradual
change in the condition of the meadoAA's came after
the year 1825. The main cause alleged for this
changed condition Avas the raising of the dam at Bil-
lerica. This dam, it is said, Avas built in 1711 by one
Christopher O.sgood, under a grant for the town of
Billerica, and made to him on condition that he
should maintain a corn-mill, and defend the toAvn
from any trouble that might .come from damages
by the mill-dam to the laud of the tOAvns above. In
1793 the charter Avas granted to the Middlesex Canal,
and in 1794 the canal company bought the Osgood
mill privilege of one Richardson, and in 1798 built a
new' dam, Avhich remained till the stone dam Avas built
in 1828.
It Avould be difficult, and take too much space to give
a full and extensive account of the litigation and
legislation that has taken place in the past near tAvo
centuries and a half, in relation to this subject. It
began at Concord as early as September 8, 1636, Avhen
a petition was presented to the Court, which Avas fol-
lowed by this act: “Whereas the inhabitants of
Concord are purposed to abate the Falls in the river
upon which their townestandeth, whereby such townes
as shall hereafter be planted above them upon the
said River shall receive benefit by reason of their
charge and labor. It is therefore ordered that such
towns or farms as shall be planted above them shall
contribute to the inhabitants of Concord, proportional
both to their charge and advantage.”^ On Nov. 13,
1644, the folloAving persons Avere appointed commis-
sioners : Herbert Pelham, Esq., of Cambridge, Mr.
Thomas Flint and Lieutenant Simon Willard, of
Concord, and Mr. Peter Noyes, of Sudbury. These
commissioners were appointed “ to set some order
Avhich may conduce to the better surveying, improv-
ing and draining of the meadows, and saving and
preserving of the hay there gotten, either by draining
the same, or otherivise, and to proportion the charges
layed out about it as equably and justly, only upon
them that own land, as they in their wisdom shall
see meete.” From this early date along at intervals
in the history bf both Concord and Sudbury, the
question of meadow betterment was agitated. Atone
time it Avas proposed to cut a canal across to Water-
town and Cambridge, Avhich it was thought could be
(lone “ at a hundred pounds charge.” Says Johnson :
“ The rocky falls causeth their meadows to be much
covered with Avater, the which these people, together
with their neighbor towne (Sudbury) have .several
times essayed to cut through but cannot, yet it may
be turned another w'ay Avith an hundred pound
charge.” In 1645 a commission was appointed by
the colonial authorities (Col. Rec. Vol. II., page 99)
“for ye btP and imp’ving of ye meadoAve ground
upon ye ryvr running by Concord and Sudbury.” In
1671 a levy of four pence an acre was to be made
upon all the meadow upon the great river, “for re-
claiming of the river that is from the Concord line to
the south side, and to Ensign Grout’s spring.” Later
a petition was sent by the people of Sudbury, headed
by Rev. Israel Loring, for an act in behalf of the
meadoAv owners. But legislation and litigation per-
haps reached its height about 1859, Avhen most of the
toAvns along the river petitioned for relief from the
floAvage. The petition of Sudbury AA'as headed by
Henry Vose and signed by one hundred and seventy-
1 Sbattuck'B ‘‘.History of Concord,” page 15.
r>o
WAYLANB.
six others; and that of Wayland by Richard Heard
and one hundred and sixteen others.
For any one to attempt with great positiveness to
clear up a subject which has perplexed legislators
and lawyers, might be considered presumptuous. It
is safe, however, to say that while there is evidence j
showing that the meadows were sometimes wet in the
summer at an early period, they were not generally
so ; it was the exception and not the rule. It was a
sufficient cause of complaint if the settlers had their
fertile lands damaged even at distant intervals, since
they so largely de})ended upon them ; but the fact
that they did depend on them, and even took cattle
from abroad to winter, indicates that the meadows
were generally to be relied upon. Certain it is that,
were they formerly as they have been for nearly the last
half-century, they would have been almost worthless.
Since the testimony taken in the case before cited,
these lands have been even worse, it may be, than
before. To our personal knowledge, parts of them
have been like a stagnant pool, over which we have
pushed a boat, and where a scythe has not been
swung for years. Dry seasons have occasionally
come in which things were different. Such occurred
in 1883, when almost all the meadows were mown,
and even a machine could, in places, cut the grass.
But this was such an exception that it was thought
quite remarkable. For the past quarter century peo-
ple have placed little reliance upon the meadows;
and if any hay wjis obtained it was almost unexpected.
This condition of things in the near past, so unlike
that in times remote, together with the fact of some
comj)laint by the settlers, and an occasional resort by
them to the General Court for relief, indicates that
formerly freshets sometimes came, but cleared away
without permanent damage to the meadows. At
times the water' may .have risen even as high as at
present. It is supposed that at an early period the
rainfall was greater than now, and that because of
extensive forests the evaporation was less. The little
stream that may now appear too small to afford ade-
quate power to move saw and grist-miil machinery^
may once have been amply sufficient to grind the
corn for a town. But the flood probably fell rapidly,
and the strong current that the pressure produced
might have left the channel more free from obstruc-
tions than before the flood came. Now, when the
meadow lands are once flooded they remain so, till a
large share of the water passes off by the slow pro-
cess of evaporation. The indications are that some-
thing has of late years obstructed its course. As to
whether the dam is the main and primal cause of
the obstruction, the reader may judge for himself.
Gkass. — Various kinds of grass grow on the mead-
ows, which are known among the farmers by the fol-
lowing names ; “ pipes,” “ lute-grass,” “ blue-joint,”
“ sedge,” “ water-grass,” and a kind of meadow “ red-
top.” Within a few years wild rice has in places
crept along the river banks, having been brought
here perhaps by the water-fowl, which may have
plucked it on the margin of the distant lakes.
CocHiTrATE. — This village is situated in the south
part of the town. Its name is of Indian origin, and
was originally ai)plied, not to the pond nearby, which
was formerly known as Long Bond and at present
Cochituate Pond,but to the land in the neighborhood,
and the locality so-called gave its name to the pond.
The evidence of this is the use of the word in the
early records. In a record of the laying out of the
“Glover farm” in 1()44, is this statement: “The
southwest bounds are the little river that issueth out
of the Great Bond at Cochituate.” The word has
been spelled in various ways, some of which are Wo-
chittuate, Charchittawick and Cochichowicke. It is
said (Temple’s “History of Framingham ”) that the
word signifies “ place of the rushing torrent ” or “ wild
dashing brook ; ” and that it refers to the outlet of
the pond when the water is high. There are indica-
tions that on the highlands west of the pond the In-
dians once had a fort, and it is supposed the country
about was once considerably inhabited by natives.
Cochituate village is probably largely situated
upon lands which were once a part of the Dunster
or Bond farm or on the Jennison grant before men-
tioned. Both of these farms early came into the
possession of Edmund Rice, who purchased the Jen-
nison farm in 1687, and the Dunster farm in 1659.
The Old Connecticut Path passed by this locality and
took a course northerly of the pond into the territory
now Framingham. Not far from Dudley Pond a
house was erected, about 1650, by EilmundRice. This
was probably the “ first white man’s habitation in this
vicinity.” The lands on which he built were a part
of toe Glover farm, and leased for a term of at least
ten years. One of the terms of the lease was that
]Mr. Rice should erect a dwelling on the premises
within five or six years, and that it should be of the
following dimensions : “thirty foote long, ten foote
high stud, one foote sil from the ground, sixteen foote
wide, with two rooms, both below or one above the
other ; all the doores well hanged and siaires, with
convenient fastnings of locks or bolts, windows
glased, and well planked under foote, and boarded
sufficiently to lay come in the story above head.”
3Ir. Rice was probably the first white settler of the
place, and from this lone dwelling-place streamed
forth a light into the dark wilderness that must have
looked strange to the native inhabitants. The coun-
try in and about this village continued to be like the
other outskirts of the town, a quiet farming com-
munity, until the early part of the present century,
when the manufacture of shoes was commenced in
a small way by William and James M. Bent. In the
course of a few years, this busine.ss developed into
quite a source of employment, not only for people in
the immediate vicinity, but for some living in the ad-
joining towns. Stock was cut and put up in cases at
the Bent shop, and workmen came and took it to their
WAYLAND.
homes to finish. The shoes were mostly what were
known as “ kip ” or “ russet ” shoes, and were sold
in cases of fifty or sixty pairs.
Cochituate has two meeting-houses, one for the
Wesleyan Methodist, the other for the Methodist
Episcopal Church. The former building is situated
in Lokerville, and was erected in 18.50. The lat-
ter is at Cochituate village and was built about
twenty-five years ago. The construction of a
Catholic Church was recently commenced on Main
Street. It is designed for the use of the French
Catholic p'eople of the place. Sabbath services are
only occasionally held at the Wesleyan meeting-
house, but at the Methodist Episcopal Church they
are held regularly.
Cochituate has six public schools, five of which
are kept in the grammar school house in the cen-
tral village, the other is a primary school and kept
at Lokerville. The village has a cemetery pleas-
antly located near Cochituate Lake. The place is
supplied with water from Rice’s Pond by means of
w'orks, constructed in 1878, at an expense of $25,-
000.
A street railroad was recently made from Cochit-
uate to Natick, and arrangements have been made
the present year for the survey of a branch rail-
road from Cochituate village to the Central Mass-
achusetts Railroad at Wayland Centre.
The place has several stores of various kinds
and a bakery. Recently it has been provided with
electric lights.
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PART III.
DISTANT VIEW OF NOBSCOT HILL, THE EARLY HOME OF INDIAN JETHRO OR TANTAMOUS.
Taken from Rogers Hill, South Sudbury.
THE ANNALS
OF
MAYNARD, MASS.
’Tis of thy forests vast,
Thy plains and meadows by the sunny stream,
The hum of mills
Amid the hills,
And all of nature and of art
That gladdens home and cheers the heart
We here relate.
As from the silent, long gone past
We draw the veil the years have cast.
And witness wondrous change,
What thanks, what gratitude should rise
To Him who- rules the earth and skies,
* For all the good that wide-spread lies
Within these quiet boiuids.
Thk Auruoit.
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M A\' N A K ] ) .
18 7 1.
Maynard is a new town incorporated April 10,
1871. Its territory consists of 1300 acres taken
from Stow, and 1000 acres taken from the north-
westerly j)art of Sudbury. It is situated about
twenty-one miles by highway west of Boston ; and
is hounded north by Acton, south and east by Sud-
bury and west by Stow. The town contained in
1875 a population of 1965; and has a central vil-
lage. the principal husiness of which is the manu-
facture of woolen goods. The territory is divided
b}' a stream now called the Assabet River, but which
has at different times been known as Elzabeth, El-
zibeth, Elzebet, Elisabeth and Elizebeth. On an
old map of Sudbury by Mathias Mosman. bearing
date April 17. 1795, and made by authority of that
town in obedience to an order from the General
Court of dune 26, 1794, the name is spelled Elsa-
beth. In a note explanatory of the map, is the
following statement by the author : “ The rivers are
also accurately surveyed and planned ; the river
Elsabeth is from four to live rods wide, but [there
is] no public bridge over the river where it joins
.Sudbury.” On a map of .Sudbury by William
li. Wood, published in 1830, the name is spelled
Elzibeth. But although the river has at times
been called by what has sounded like an English
word, it is not probable that this was its original
name. On the contrary, the evidence is that Elzi-
beth or Elzibet and similar ones are corruptions of
the Indian word Assabet or Assabaeth. At a date
prior to the use of the name Elzibeth, Elzibet, etc.,
as before given, the terms Asibath and Isabaeth
were used. When the lands south of the Assabet
River were being laid out and apportioned to the
settlers, about the year 1650, the farm of William
Brown is spoken of as being in the “northwest
angle beyond Asibath River,” and in the “ Colony
Records,” vol. iii. page 225, with date May 22,
1651, is the statement that “Captain Willard and
Lieutenant Goodenow are appointed to lay out the
thousand acres of land at Isabaeth which Jethro the
Indian mortgaged to Ilermon Garret.”
Another matter of consideration is that the tribu-
tary which Hows into the Assabet River just above
the upper bridge, near tin old Whitman place, was
early known as .Vssabet Brook. It ha.< thus been
designated by tradition and document, and the term
has come down to the present, notwithstanding that
the terms Elzabeth, etc., have been applied to the
river. We consider it, then, fairly established that
the river, tlie locality and also the hrook were all
called by the Indian name. The words Elsabeth,
Elizabeth, etc., may have crept into use as corrup-
tions of the original Indian name, and the map-
makers doubtless took the name that was popularly
used. It is jn'obable that the Indians would have a
name for a stream of such size, and also that the
settlers would call it by the same name.
As Maynard is composed of territory taken from
Sudbury and .Stow, a few facts concerning the set-
tlement of these old towns may be interesting, and
assist to a better understanding of the early history
of the place. Sudbury was settled in 1638 by a
company of English emigrants, some of whom
came direct from England, and some from Water-
town after a brief stay there. The lands were at-
tained by permission of the Colonial Court. The first
grant was of a tract about five miles square, and was
purchased of the Indian proprietor Karto, or Good-
man, as he was called by the English. This tract
extended from Concord on the north to what was
then the “ wilderness land ” (now Framinghamj on
the south, and from Watertown (^now Weston)
boundary on the east to a little westerly of the
village of .Sudbury Centre. In 1649 the set-
tlers obtained by petition another grant, which
extended westward, and was called the “Two-Mile
Grant.”
The town was incorporated Sept. 4, 1639, when
the Court ordered that “ The new' plantation by
Concord shall be called Sudbury.” The name was
taken from Sudbury in England, from which town
some of the settlers are supposed to have come.
One great inducement which led to the selec-
tion of this spot for a settlement was the ex-
tensive meadow lands along the river. Upon
these lands the people depended to a great
extent for their subsistence during the first
*
MAYNARD. 05
years of their pioneer life. So productive were they
that Johnson says “ they take in cattel of other towns
to winter.” The plantation prospered. In 1639 a
grist-mill was erected, and in 1640 a small meeting-
house was built, the dimensions of which were
“ thirty foot long and twenty foot wide.” The cost
was to be six pounds, to be paid in money, corn and
cattle to be prized by two men of the town, one to be
chosen by the town and the other by John Rutter,
the contractor and builder of the house.
The first minister was Rev. Edmund Browne, who
it is supposed was settled in England before he came
to America. He was a scholarly and substantial min-
ister, as well as an honored and useful citizen. The
town soon took rank among the best of the Massa-
chusetts Bay Colony. Not only did the people de-
velop the resources within their own territory, but the
spirit of colonization early prevailed, which led the
people to pioneer new places. They went south to
what is now Framingham and Natick, and westerly
beyond the “ two-mile grant,” to what is now Marl-
boro’, where in 1656 a new town was incorporated.
The town of Stow in its original limits was com-
posed of a tract of country bounded by Sudbury, Con-
cord, Groton, Lancaster, Marlboro’ and the Indian
plantation called Nashoba (now Littleton). The In-
dians called it Pompasetticutt. In 1666 a part of
this territory was formally laid out to Major Eleazer
Usher ; and a little later about 500 acres were con-
veyed to Daniel Gookin, and 150 acres to Richard
Heldredge.
In 1669 George Haywood petitioned the General
Court to appoint some persons “to view this land.”
October 13th his request was granted, and ^lay 31,
1670, the committee rendered a report. In this re-
port is the following statement : “We found by esti-
mation 10,000 acres of country land, whereof 500
acres of it is meadow : the greatest part of it is very
meane land, but we judge there will be planting-land
enough to accommodate twenty families. Also about
4000 acres more of land that is taken up in farms.”
They stated that the Indian town of Nashoba, that is
adjacent, “ is exceeding well meadowed, and they
make but little or no use of it.” The General Court
allowed the petitioners to take the land “ provided
the place be settled with not lesse than tenn familyes
within three years, and that a pious orthodox and
able minister be mainteyned there.”
Daniel Gookin, Thomas Dan forth, Joseph Cooke,
or any two of them were appointed to regulate the
settling of the place, and Dec. 4, 1672, they appointed
a committee to lay out twelve farms of fifty acres
each, and to “ cast Lotts for them ” among those to
whom the land was allowed, provided that the parties
were “ men of good and honest conversations, orthodox
in Religion,” and would engage to help support “ as
Godly minister among them,” and also would settle
upon their lands within two years from the following
May (“ History of Stow.”) '
May 16, 1683, the place was made by incorporation
the town of Stow, and March, 1686, twenty-six home-
steads were granted.
Early Purchase of Territory. — That portion
of Maynard which was taken from Sudbury was a
part of the land last granted to that town by the Gen-
eral Court. It was five miles in length north and
south by two in breadth east and west, and its north-
erly boundary was a direct continuation of the Con-
cord and Sudbury old town line to the Assabet River,
at a point which Mathias Mossman on his map calls
the Acton, Stow and Sudbury corner. The Colonial
record concerning this grant is “ Sudberry is granted
two miles westward next adjoining to them for their
furth"" inlargement, provided it [prejudice] not W“‘.
Browne in his 200 acres already granted.” (“ Colonial
Rec. ” vol. ii. page 273.) This land tract was purchased
of the Indians for twelve pounds. A deed was given
which is on record at the Middlesex Registry of
Deeds, Cambridge, and of which the following is a
true copy :
Indian Deed.
“ Forasmuch as the Gen' Court of the Massachusetts Colony in New
England hath formerly granted to the Towne of Sudbury, in the County
of Middlesex, in the same colony, an addition of land two miles west-
ward of their former grant of five miles, which is also layd out & joyneth
to it ; and whereas the English occupiers, proprietors and possessors
thereof have chosen Capt. Edmond Goodenow, Leif Josiah Haynes,
•John Goodenow, John Brigham & Joseph Freeman to be a comittee
for themselves & for all the rest of the English proprietors of thes^ tract
of land and to satisfy & pay them for their native ancient & hereditary
right, title & intei est thereunto ; Know all People by these presents— That
wee, Jehojakim, John Magus. John JIusqua & his two daughters
Esther A Rachel, Benjamen Bohue, John Speen & Sarah his wife, James
Speeu, Dorothy Wennetoo & Humphrey Bohue her son, Mary Neppa-
mun, .\bigaii the daughter of Josiah Harding, Peter Jethro, Peter Musk-
quamogh, John Boman, David Mannoan & Betty, who are the ancient
native & hereditary Indian proprietors of the.afores'' two miles of land
(for & in consideration of the just & full sum of twelve pounds of current
money of New England to them in hand well k truly paid at or before
tire ensealing k delivery hereof by the said Cap‘. Edmond Goodenow,
Leift, Josiah Haines, John Goodenow, John Brigham k Joseph Freeman
in behalfe of themselves k of the rest of the English possessors, occu-
(liers, proprietors & fellow-purchasers), the receipt whereof they do
hereby acknowledge k therwith to be fully satisfied, contented k paid k
thereof and of every part k parcell thereof they do hereby for themselves
& their heyrs, (Executors, Administrators & Assigns, clearly, fully A
absolutely release, acquitt, exonerate k discharge them k all the Eiig-
glish possessors, occupiers, proprietors k fellow-purchasers of the same
.t all and every one of these heyrs. Executors, Administrators. Assigns k
successors forever. Have giveu, granted, bargained, sold, aliened,
enseossed, made over k confirmed, k by these presents, do give, grant,
l>argain, sell, alien, enseosse, make over, confirm k deliverall that their
attract k parcells of lands or two miles (bee it more or leas, situate lying
& being) altogether in one entire parcell in the s'! Town of Sudbury in the
County of Middlesex afores'' k lyeth al along throughout on the westerne
side of the old five miles of the s^ Towne k adjoyneth thereunto (to-
gether with the farme lands of the heyrs of William Browne that lyeth
within the same tract, unto the s'* Gap*. Edmond Goodenow, LeiP. Josiah
Haines, John Goodenow, John Brigham k Joseph Freeman & unto all k
every one of the rest of the English possessors, occupiers, proprietors
k fellow-purchasers thereof as the same is limited, butted A bounded on
the East by the old part of the s-i Towne of Sudbury (which was the
five miles at first granted to the s'! Towne) & is butted k bounded north-
erly by the line or bounds of the Towne of Stow k is bounded southerly
k partly westerly by the lands of Mr. Thomas Dauforth. All the lands
within said bounds of hills, vallies, planes, intervalls, meadows, swamps,
with ail the timber, trees, woods, underwoods, grass k herbage, rocks,
stones, mines, mineralls, with all rivers, rivoletts, brooks, streams,
springs, ponds k all manner o# water courses k whatsoever is therein k
04
MAYNARD.
t)jt*reupon, above ground & under ground, with all rights, members
titles, royalties, libeilyes, priviledges, proprietyes, uses, protiitts X, com-
modityes, thereof, & every part & parcell thereof, & that is every way
in anywise thereiinto belonging and appertaining,
“To Have, Hold, use, occupie, possess, enjoy to tlie only absolute
propper use, benefitt, behoofe and dispose of them the s^i English posses-
ors, occxipiers, proprietoi's & fellow-purchasei's of the Towne of Sud-
bury «& their heyrs, executors, administrators, assigns & successors in a
free, full & perfect estate of inheritance from the day of the date hereof
& so for ever.
“ And the above-named Indian Cli'antoi's do also hereby covenant, prom-
ise grant to and with the above-named Edmond Hoodeiiow, Josiah
Hayues,John CJuodenow, John Brigham & Joseph Freeman, & with all the
rest of the English possessors, occupiei's,proprieloi’8 & fellow-purchasei's of
the siiid two miles of land (bee it more or less) as above bounded that at
tlie ensealing and delivery hereof, they are the only and absolute In-
dian proprietoi-s of the premises, that tliey (A: none else) have just and
full power in themselves the same thus to sell, convey, contirm, make
over deliver, & they do hereby engage A bind themselves A their heyrs,
executors, adtninistratoi's A iissigns from time to time A at all times
hereafter, fully and sutlicieiitly to secure, save harmless A forever de-
fend the hereby granted A bargained two miles ot hind (as is above
bounded, bee it more or less), with all the rights, membei's A appurten-
ances thereunto belonging, against all manner A singular other titles,
troubles, charges, demands and incumbrances that may be made or
ruysed by any person or persons (especially Indian or Indians) else
whatsoever lawfully having or claiming any right, title or interest in
or to the premises, or to any part or parcell tliereof, to the trouble, vex-
ation, charges, interruption or ejection of tlie above s'! English possess-
sor, occupiei's, proprietors or fellow-purchasers of tl»e same, or any one
of them, they or any one of their heyi-s, executoi*s, administratoi's or
assig!is, in his or their quiet and peaceable possession, free A full use,
enjoyment, or dispose thereof, or any part or parcell thereof, forever.
“ Furthermore, we, the above-named Indian Grantors, do hereby
oblige and engage ouraelves, all and every one of us A ours as afores^^
shall and will from time to time A at all times readily and etfectually
do (at our own propper costs and charges), or cause to be so done, any
other or further act or acts, thing or things, that the law doth or may
require for more sure making A full coutirming of all A singular the
hereby granted premises unto the s'! Edmund Goodenow, Josiab Haines,
John Goodenow, John Brigbam and Joseph Freeman A unto all A every
one of the rest of the English possessors, occupiers, proprietoi's and fel-
low-j>urchasers of the premises, A unto all A every one of lieyrs, execu-
lore, administrators and assignes, forever.
In Witness whereof tlie above-named Indian Grantors have here-
unto, each for themselves A altogether, sett their hands and seals, dated
tlie day of July, in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hun-
dred eighty A four, Annoqe llegni Begis Caroli Seciindi, XXXVI.
“ JehOjakim his mark X fur himself A by Order of A for John Bo-
man A seule O
'‘John 3lagos for himself and fiy order of A for Jacob Magos bis
father and seale Q
“ Jolin Speen his marke j A for A by order of Sarah his wife and
seale Q
“ .\bigail Daughter of Josiah Hanling and his sole heyr (> her
marke A seale Q
Sarah C her marke who is the widdow of Josiah Harding and
mother of Abigail A her Guardian.
“ Peter VI nsquamog { his marke A seale Q
“ Benjamin Boheu his U marke A seal Q
“ Dorithy Weiineto her O marke A seale Q
“ Mary Nepamnn her O marke A seale Q
“ Betty her ) marke A Seale
Peter llethro A a seale
“ John X Bowman his marke A seale
“ James Speen A seale
“ Cambe 15 Ucto*^ 1084 All the pei-sons that have signed A seated this
instrninent appeared before me this day A year above written A freely
acknowledged this writing to be their act A deed
“ Daniel Gookin, Gen^ Assist
“Endorsement — All the Grantors of the instrument within written
beginning with Jehojakim A ending with Peter Muskquomog did sign
seale and deliver instrument in presence of us,
“ John Green — James Bebnahd —
“Moreover wee underwritten did see Benjamin Boheu, Dorothy
waneto A Mary A Betty Nepamnn signe, seale A deliver tliis instrument
the LV** day of Octo'>lli84
“Andukw PriTAMKE^; liis nuuke
“J.\MKS UuMNY marke
“ Samuel Gofk, James Hausaiid
“ Daniel Saoowamhatt.
“Feb^T, 1084 Memorandum — Wee whose names are underwritten
did see Peter Jethro signe A seale A deliver y« witliin written instrn-
meiit
“James Baunaud— SrEPUEN l^ Gates his mark.
“ Peter Jethro, Indian, appeared before me the liftli day of February,
1084, A freely acknowledged this writing witliin tube his act A deed A
ythe put his hand A seale thereunto.
“ Daniel Gookin, SeiP. Aftlft.
“John Bowman did signe, seale A deliver the within-written deed
the 23 : of February in the yearof our I^ord one thousand six hundred
eighty A four in presence of us
“John Balcom — 4- Samuel Freeman his inarko
“James Speen and John Bonmn appeared before me in court at Na-
tick and acknowledged they have signed and sealed this instrument
uinong othei's May 13th, 1084
James Gookin, Seiif Aftist
“ Koxburv April 10, 85
“ Charles Josias, Sachem of the Massachusetts, having read A consid-
ered the Avithin-written deed with the consent of his Guardians A
Counsellors underwritten doth for himself and his heyi*s allow of, ratify
A contirm the within-written siile to the inhabitants of Sudbury A their
heyrs for ever, the lands therein bargained A sold, to have A to hold to
the s<^ Iniiahitants of Sudbury their heyrs and assigns for ever, A
hath hereunto set his hand and seale the day above written,
“ Charles \ Josias his marke A seale
“ Allowed by us
“ William Stoughton ) Guardians to
“Joseph Dudley i y« Sachem
“ Robert 8 Montague
“William W. Ahowton
“ Recorded by Thomas Danfortli
“Robert 8 Montague
“ WiLLiASi \y. Ahowton
“ Recorded 19, 3, 1685
“by Tho. Daiiforfh, Recorder.
“A true copy of record Book 9, Pages 344 to 352, inclusive.
“Attest Cha* B. Stevens Reg.”
The above deed was not given until years after the
grant was made by the Court, and the land was di-
vided up into portions to the inhabitants. The records
do not state what occasioned the long delay, hut, as
was the case elsewhere, perhaps the papers were not
passed until, in process of time, the settlers questioned
whether the claim to the territory was valid until a
deed was obtained of the Indian proprietors. A simi-
lar instance occurred at Groton, where the deed was
given long after the land was occupied. The grant
was allowed by the Court as early as 1655, hut no title
was obtained of the natives till about 1683 or 1684.
The 200 acres referred to consisted of land allowed
by the Court to William Brown, of which the record
is as follows: “In answer to the petition of W“
Browne ftbr 200 ac” dev/ for twenty-five pounds putt
into the joynet stocke by Mrs. Ann Harvey, his Aunt,
from whom he made it appear to the Court he had
sufticyent deputacon to require it, his request was
grannted, viz.: 200 ac” of land to be layed out to him
w‘''out the west, lyne of Sudbury by C’apt. Simon
Willard and Seargeant Wheeler.”
Concerning the laying out and apportionment of
MAYNARD.
these lands, we have the following from the Sudbury
records :
November 27, 1651, “It is agreed in a public town-
meeting warned for that purpose, that the rate now to
be levied for the payment of John Sherman and
others for laying out the two miles westward joining
to our former bounds which was last granted by the
Court for our enlargement shall be paid by the inhabit-
ants, every man to pay alike, the same in quantity,
and when that the two miles shall be layed out that
every man shall enjoy a like quantity of that land.”
About two years later a dispute arose relative to the
manner in which the two-mile grant was to be divided.
“Two ways were proposed, neither of which gave sat-
isfaction ; the first was to divide them equally to every
man ; the other was to divide by estate or family — to
every man four parts — to every wife, child or servant
bought or brought up in the family one part.”
On January 4, 1655, at a selectmen’s meeting it was
“ voted to take some means to get the new grants laid
out;” and it was also agreed “to keep a herd of cattle
upon the land the next summer.” Thus the subject
of the new grant was a prominent one, and how to j
apportion it was an important matter. At length the j
plan was adopted of dividing it into squadrons, the ,
arrangement of which was as follows: “The south
east was to be the first, the north east the second, the
north west the third, and the south west the fourth.”
It was voted there should be a highway extending
north and south, “30 rods wide in the new grant join-
ing to the five miles first granted;” also, “voted that
there should be a highway 30 rods wide, from south
to north, paralel with the other .said highway in the
middle of the remaining tract of land.”
The records further state, that, as there was a
pond in the third and second squadrons, “so that the
middle highway from south to north cannot pass
strait,” it was voted to have it “go round the pond.”
These squadrons were sub-divided into parcels of
equal size, each containing one hundred and thirty
acres, and were apportioned to the people by lot. It
was voted that “the first lot drawn was to begin at the
south side of the first squadron running east and west
betwixt our highways; the second lot to be in the |
north side of the first, and so every lot following suc-
cessively as they are drawn till we come to Concord |
line and so the first and second .squadron.” j
The Sudbury records give the following information j
concerning the apportionment and ownership of the
second and third squadron.s, a part of which are in the |
present territory of Maynard : |
“The second siiuadroii are; W'illiara W'ard, 13; Josiab Ilains, 14 ;
Henry Loker, 15 ; John How, 16 ; Edmund Rice, 17 ; Philemon Whale,
18 ; John Loker, 19 ; 5H-. Edmund Browne, 20 ; John Parmenter, Dea.,
21‘; John Maynard, 22 ; Robert Darnill, 23 ; Thomas White, 24 ; Rich- [
ard Newton, 25 ; John Reddicke, part of his, 26.
“These thirteen lots and a part afore written are the second squadron,
the first whereof being W'illiam Ward’s, whojoineth to Lancaster high-
way on the south; the last being part of Sargent Reddick’s lot which
joineth to Concord line on the north all this squadron of lots, with the
C')
other aforegoing, being bounded on tbe east by a highway thirty rods
wide, and part of the two miles last granted to Sudbury, each lot contain-
j ing one hundred and thirty acres ; third squadron are as followeth :
, “John Ward, 27 ; Peter Kinge, 28; John Smith, 29; Hugh Grillin,
30 ; Henry Rice, 31 ; John [ ], 32 ; Robert Beast, 33 ; William
Kerley, Sen., 34 ; John W'ood, :)5 ; John Rutter, 36 ; Solomon Johnson,
I Sen., 37 ; John Toll, 38 ; Widow Coodenow, 39.
j “Jlr. W"'. Browne, his farm of two hundred acres, and his lot of one
hundred and thirty acres, being granted to be in the northwest angle
beyond Asibath river before the lots were laid out. .llso the other part
of Sargent Reddicke's lotadjoining to Mr. William Browne’s farm on the
north.
“The thirteen lots last written with Mr. W“. Browne’s farm and lot,
and the part of Sergent Reddick's lot, are the third squadron. Mr.
Browne’s farm joineth to Concord line on the north, and the w idow
Goodenow’s lot joineth the same said Lancaster highway on the south,
the said squadron of lots and farm being on the east the middle highway
thirty rods wide and the second squadron, and butting on the west upon
the wilderness.’’
I Another part of the Maynard territory may have
been a tract of land which we will term the Tanta-
mous transfer. This tract is that before alluded to as
the property mortgaged by Indian Jethro to Hermon
Garrett. This land the Colony Records state “is
granted by this Court [General Court] to Watertowne
to purchase of Hermon Garrett.” Hermon Garrett
was a blacksmith who lived at Concord, and it is sup-
posed carried on his trade there before 1638. In a
petition dated May 19, 1651, he says that “3 years
since he obtained a verdict against Jethro on £16 6s.
4(/. and £4 costs for damage in a mare and colt done
by him to your petitioner, and that said Jethro mort-
gaged 1000 acres of his lands to secure said debt.”
(Temple’s “ Hist, of Framingham.”) The permission
granted to Watertown by the General Court may in-
I dicate that the mortgaged property came into the
hands of Garrett, who it is supposed sold a horse and
colt to old Jethro and the default of payment may
have been the damages. The s'atement that this
I land was at Issabaeth, while it may locate the land
but indefinitely, leaves us to infer that it lay along
the river course. The vote of Sudbury that there
should be a highway running north and south,
through the “New Grant,” forty rods wide, was ob-
served in the laying out of the laud. This reserva-
tion was doubtless made without the expectation that
it would ever become a regular town highway. It
was probably laid out for several objects; one of these
may have been to give abuttors a right of way to
their lots ; another may have been to serve the town
as a timber supply, and another object may have
been that it could be exchanged by the town for land
to be used in other places for highways. This high-
way subsequently became memorable by the discus-
sions that attended its final disposition. It was re-
peatedly encroached upon by abuttors or others who
desired it for timber or as an annex to their farms ;
and at successive town- meetings the question came up
as to what to do with the thirty-rod highway.
The following extracts from early records relate to
this highway, the first to its direction, the last to its
disposal :
“At a town-meeting January 4, 1657, voted in y‘ Town Meeting
tliat wliereas there is a pood lying iu y« third and second squadron that
Boe our iui<Ule] Highway from South to North cannot ptis streight, our
and vote in that y* said way shall goe round the pond at y* nearest
end and alowaiue he given by ye Surveyor to any person that shall be
damaged by ye highway going at ye ]>ouds end and, Also let it be re-
membered (liat y* long Highway from South to north goeth at ye west
end of ye pond through y* land of John Toll and Solomon Johnson and
is twelve rods wide at ye narrowest for w'hich may y* said John Toll and
Johnson have sutlicient allowance. ''
At a meeting held Mareli 3, 1731, “Voted that they
will discontinue of tlie thirty Rod Highway or land,
so-called, twenty-six rods wide throughout the said
highway.” It was also “ Voted to give and grant to
every Proprieter owner one and one half acre of
meadow and swamp land in the lands called the New
Grants, thirty rod highway, also two acres of upland.
January 23'^'*, 1732, let out to Jonathan Rice all the
highway meadow from the Long Pond to Concord
Road and to ilarlhorough Road, for five shillings.”
That part of ^laynard which formerly belonged to
Stow was probably a portion of a tract called by the
Indians, Pompasiticiit. A hill in Maynard still
hears the ancient name. These lands may have been,
in part, some of the Tantamous transfer, and in part
may have been owned by Benjamin Bohue, or the
Spcen finnlly, or Musiiiia, or ^lusquamog, or iMagos,
or others wlio owned land about the Sudbury and
Stow territory. It is said that soon after the incor-
poration of the town of Stow, which occurred ^lay 16,
1683, “ a town rate was made to pay Ben Bohue and
James Speen and others for lands purchased of them.”
(“ History of Stow.”)
Occri'.tNTS. — The lands at Isebaeth or
about the .Vssabet River were, it is supposed, at one
time eomsiderably occupied by Indians. Numerous
relics have been discovered in various places; and on
the Benjamin Smith place on the west side of the
river Indian bones have been exhumed. These re-
mains were discovered when excavating for a barn
cellar some years ago. The remains were, it is sup-
posed, those of six Indians who were buried side by
side. Various relics were found with them. .lust
below this place, on the brow of the hill, is an exca-
vation, which, it is supposed, may be the remains of
an old cellar once connected with a wigwam or wig-
wams. This excavation may perhaps have been an
old Indian store-house for corn or maize, to make use
of their term for grain. These excavations for gran-
aries were probably commonly used by the Indians.
Their food was to quite an extent made of maize meal,
which was prepared by a rude process of pounding
with a small stone. From thi.s meal they prepared a
rude cake called “Nokake,” which it is stated they
carried on long journeys.
Their selections for corn-fields were on easily
worked, sunny places, as on some plain land or warm
hill-side. The lands were broken up by the squaws
with a rude hoe- made of stone with a withe handle.
Their planting time was when the oak leaf had at-
tained the size of a mouse’s ear or squirrel’s paw.
The same fields were planted year after year and were
probably tilled by several families collectively, after
the manner of the English in their early occupation
of the country. As the fields were cultivated in
common, so the granaries were doubtless also com-
mon property. Temple, in his History of “Framing-
ham,” says as follows of the granaries :
“ These Indian granaries were of two cla.sses, one
large, the other small. Both were of similar con-
struction, i. e., circular excavations about five feet in
depth. The larger ones were from twelve to sixteen
feet across, while the small ones were only three to
five feet in diameter. They were commonly dug in
tiie sloping sides of a knoll or bank to secure dryness
and the better to shed rain. A number were set
close together in order that they might be protected
from bears and other enemies by a picket ; when filled
with corn, or dried fish, or nuts, they were covered
with poles and long grass, or brush or sods.” Perhaps
why so few of the traces of these granaries are found
to-day in places once considerably inhabited by the
Indians is that English cultivation of the soil has
obliterated them. The warm hill-sides where they
may have been mostly constructed, in close proximity
to the corn-fieids on the soft plain lands, have largely
become pastures or orchards. The plow has passed
over them again and again in the long flight of years.
The recollections of the early settlers relating to the
Indians were not altogether pleasant, and there was
therefore little inducement to preserve the traces of
their wigwams, piantiug-fields and granaries. The
indications about the Benjamin Smith place are that
in that vicinity may have been a cluster of wigwams
or an Indian village. The half-dozen skeletons de-
note the presence of an Indian burial-place, and this,
with the presence of a granary and the finding of
stone relics, are supposed to point generally to the
occupation of a locality by several families and per-
haps a clan.
On the farm of Asahel Balcom, Esq., at a place
called Pond Meadow, various relics have been found,
such as arrow heads, stone axes, etc. ; relics have also
been found on the Puffer lands, in the south part of
the town. No distinct tribe is known to have occu-
pied the place ; but as it was a point intermediate be-
tween the Indian plantation of Occogooganset (Marl-
boro’), and Nashoba (Littleton), and Musketaquid
(Concord), it is probable that it was much traversed
by the natives in their intercourse one with another;
and that the birch canoe glided frequently beneath
the hemlocks overhanging the Assabet, as the swarthy
occupant made his way to Concord to visit Tahatawan
and his family. Comparatively little is known in
detail of the character of the Indian proprietors of
Isabaeth, but some fragments have. come down to us
which are full of interest. Tantamous, or Old Jethro
iis he was called in English, it is supposed in early
life lived at Isabaeth. This supposition is based on
his ownership of the land, as set forth in his trans-
action with Garret. A deed dated July 12, 1684, of
MAYNARD.
land two miles in width adjoining Sudbury on the west
and Marlboro’ and Stow on the east, Peter Jethro, son of
Old Jethro, signed, in which he calls himself “ one of the
ancient, native, hereditary, Indian proprietors of the
said land.” The residence of the Jethros subsequent
to their home at Isabaeth was at Nobscot Hill, which is
partly in Sudbury, but more largely in Framingham.
A large stone-heap on this hill, which it is thought
may have been Jethro’s lookout, is mentioned in the
records as early as 1654 ; and it is said that until re-
cently, at least, Jethro’s “ granery ” was still to be
seen there. (Temple’s “Hist, of Framingham.”)
Old Jethro was not a praying Indian. Gookin
says of him that he had twelve members in his family
and ” they dwelt at a place near Sudbury, Nobscot
hill, but never submitted to the Christian profes-
sion (except his son Jethro).” He also says that
the old man had the “ repute to be a powwow,” and
he was held in great veneration by the natives. Drake
says that at the time of Philip’s War he lived at
Nobscot and was ordered by the Colony to Deer Isl-
and, Boston Harbor, for security. Resenting the ill
usage that was received from those conducting them
there, Jethro and his family escaped in the darkness
of night. He was betrayed, however, by his son,
Peter Jethro,into the hands of the English, by whom,
according to Hubbard, he was executed, September
26, 1676.
Peter Jethro was one of Mr. Eliot’s converts to
Christianity in 1650. Gookin characterizes him as “a
grave and pious Indian.” He was at one time a “min-
ister and teacher” to the Indians at Weshakim, a
place near Lancaster. His English name is attached
to the deed of the New Grant. His Indian name was
Hantomush and was sometimes written Ammatohu.
The Indians who lived about this vicinity probably
belonged to the Nipnets or Nipmugs, who dwelt in the
interior of Massachusetts, or in what w’as called the
fresh water country, which the word Nipnet signifies.
The characteristic, and modes of life of the aborigines
were like those of other Indians in the near neigh-
borhood, and these were not of a high standard before
they were changed by the influence of Christianity.
At Concord, where Tahatawan was chief, rules were
adopted by the praying band that set forth the de-
pravity that existed among them both in nature and
practice. Johnson speaks of the Indians there in
1646 as “ being in very great subjugation to the
Divel and the pow-wows as being “ more conver-
sant with him than any other.” They were given to
lying, “greasing,” “pow-wowing” and “bowlings.”
But the light of the Gospel, as it radiated from the
praying stations, fostered by such men as Gookin,
Eliot and others, soon had a salutary efi’ect upon
them. Some of the chief men were reached and their
lives and characters changed. A large share of the
praying Indians were fa.st friends of the English, and
aided them in the war with Philip. There is no
evidence that the early English inhabitants ever came
into conflict with the aborigine.s of the immediate
vicinity, nor that there was ever unfriendly inter-
course between them.
King Philip’s War was inaugurated by an invading
force. The enemy for the most part came from afar,
and the settlers defended their homesteads from those
who never had a title thereto. It is supposed that a
trail ran from the well-known missionary station at
Natick northwesterly to Stow and Nashoba (Littleton);
such a trail would probably pass through Assabet ter-
ritory. The natives along its course wonld naturally
make use of it, and have intercourse with these In-
dian villages.
Condition of the Country. — The country at the
time of its early occupation by the English was
largely an unbroken wilderness. Pine trees are sup-
posed to have grown there very abundantly. Johnson,
in his “ History of New England,” dated 1654, speaks
of the “ heavy pine forests on the west side of Sudbury
River.” The Sudbury records state that in 1661
men were appointed “ to agree with Richard Proctor,
of Concord, about his trespass of burning up our pine
for making tar.” The committee were to sue him if
they could not agree. The absence of extensive pine
woodland to-day, and the existence of oak growth, is
no evidence as to what these lands formerly produced ;
for it is the nature of these lands to alternate between
the growth of pine and oak. The broad acres that in
the present may have a mixed growth of hard woods
may two centuries since have been densely covered
with pine. The forests of the primitive period were
largely clear of brush. Johnson says, in the work al-
ready referred to : “The forests, free from under brush,
resembled a grove of huge trees improved by art.”
There may have been two causes for this freedom
from underbrush— one, the natural tendency of the
larger and stronger trees to crowd out the smaller and
weaker ones, and the other, the forest fires set by the
Indians, as supposed, for this purpose, that they
might the easier capture their game. These fires
were set in the autumn, after the equinoctial storm,
that they might burn with less intensity. Whatever
the cause, the primitive forests were so much like
huge groves, that the early settlers could travel over
portions of them on horseback, and a trail through
the woods, where the country was free from streams
and swamps, furnished quite a passable way. To-
gether with these extensive forests were also broken
spaces, open meadows, and sunny spots which kept
the country from being one of continuous shade. Some
of these places were kept clear by the Indians for
corn-fields. Notwithstanding the plentiful timber
growth, the settlers from the beginning were very
watchful against waste ; and laws were enacted for its
preservation. In 1646 the town of Sudbury ordered
that “ no oak timber shall be fallen without leave
from those that are appointed by the town to give
leave to fell timber that shall hew above eighteen
inches at the butt end.” Again, it was ordered that
MAYNARD.
CM
no man should have timber upon the commonage it'
he had a supply on his own land. In 1647 it was
ordered that for that year the people should have
timber “for every two shillings that they paid the
ministry one tree.” In 1671, .lohn Adams was “ to
have liberty to feed his cattle on Sudbury bound, and
to take old and dry wood that shall be upon the
ground, the said Adams to prevent any trespass by
Concord herds or cattle, also in our wood and timber,
forthwith to give notice to the town.” I
Because of the extensive woodlands, it is supposed
there were greater falls of rain and snow in former |
times, so that the little stream, which now has but
small water-power, might then have been sufficient
to grind the corn of a township. The Assabet may [
then have been a wild, dashing stream in the spring-
time, overrunning its banks in a furious flood ; while
so much of the country from which it drew Its supply,
being overshadowed in the summer by the outstretch-
ing branches of the leafy trees, it may at that season !
also have been a considerable stream. But although
the snow and rain were more abundant then, if tra-
dition is trustworthy, the climate was not of necessity j
more severe. On the contrary, there are indications ]
that the spring opened early, and that the frost was
gone, and the fields ready for seeding at a very sea-
sonable time. In the Sudbury Records it is stated
that at one time the town ordered “ that the fences
should be set by the 1st or 10th of April”; and in
1642 it was ordered that no cattle were to be found on j
the planting tields, and all the fences were to be up |
by March 1st.” Grass was to be cut in some of the |
Sudbury meadows by the lOth of July. j
E.\kia' Engllsh OccUP-iNTS. — Maynard territory I
had but very few settlers prior to King Philip’s War, j
and what few were there were driven out by the sav- j
ages on their deva.stating raids. Ou the Stow side of the
river two men took u)) their abode about 1660. These
were Matthew Boon and .Tohn Kettle, both of whom, !
it is said, came from Charlestown. Boon, it is thought, j
settled in the south or west part of the original |
Stow territory ; and Kettle in the vicinity of Pompas-
siticutt Hill, on land now included in Maynard (Bal-
com.) Kettle married for his first wife, Sarah Goode-
now, of Sudbury, and by this marriage had three
children — John, Sarah and Joseph. For his second
wife he married Elizabeth Ward, by which marriage
he had one child or more. When the Indians in-
vaded the Stow territory, Kettle tied to Lancaster,
where his wife and some of his children w’ere cap-
tured.
Mr. Boon remained in the territory till the invasion
by Philip, April, 1676. On the day before the attack
on Sudbury, which was made April 2l8t, Mr. Boon
and a sou, while endeavoring to make their way with
some of their goods to a place of safety, probably one
of the Sudbury garrison -houses, were slain by the In-
dians. They were escorted by Thomas Plympton, of
Sudbury, who met with the same fate.
On the monument of the Plympton family, in the
old burying-ground at Sudbury, is the statement that
Thomas Plympton was killed by the Indiana at
Boon’s plain.
We have found comparatively little by which to
determine with certainly the names of those who first
settled in the part of Maynard that was once Sud-
bury. The fact that the “New Grant” lands were
allotted to certain individuals is no evidence that they
were ever occupied by them. It is probable, however,
that some of the owners of the lots lived on them prior
to Philip’s War. The names of the following, as ac-
tual settlers in those early times, have come down to us
either by record or tradition — Smith, Wedge, Crane,
Freeman, Carley or Kerley, Taylor, Rice, Brigham,
Maynard. Wood and Skinner. Others, who settled
later, are .lonas Balcom, Phineas Pratt, Jabez Puffer,
Simon and Zacheriah Maynard, Arrington Gibson,
.lohn Jekyl and Marble. It is probable that such of
these settlers as were occupying the ground at the
breaking out of Philip’s War were driven away by
the savages, |is it is supposed that every dwelling on
the west side of Sudbury River, except such as were
garrisoned, was destroyed in those dismal, distressing
days. In a list of Sudbury inhabitants attached to a
petition sent the General Court, purporting to con-
tain “ An Accompt of Losse Sustenied by Severall
Inhabitants of y* towne of Sudbury by y' Indian En-
emy, y“ 2l8t Aprill, 1676,” are the following names,
which, with others in the list, may have been of the
New’ Grant occupants: Joseph Freeman, loss £80;
John Smith, £80; Thomas Wedge, £15; Corporal
Henry Rice, £180 ; Thomas Rice, £100 ; Benjamin
Crane, £20, and “ Widdow ” Habgood (Hapgood) £20.
Mrs. Hapgood’s husband was probably Shadrack or
Sydrack Hapgood, who was killed near Brookfield in
the Hutchinson expedition. A son, Thomas, settled
in the northeast part of Marlboro’. Sydrack or Shad-
rack, who may have been another son, was one of the
settlers of Stow about 1778 or 1779. After the close
of Philip’s War we conjecture the settlement of the
territory progressed slowly. The country had been
so scourged by tbe torch and tomahawk that the
frontier was somewhat shunned. Savage incursions
were made at times for years, by small, predatory
bands from the north and east, and life was imper-
iled and property insecure. According to a map of
Sudbury by John Brigham, bearing date 1708, which
gives the squadrons of the New Grant, and also pur-
ports to give the location of every homestead in
Sudbury at that time, we find but fifteen dwellings
designated in the second and third squadrons north
of the “ east and w’est thirty-rod highway,” or the
part which is now mostly in Maynard. It is true,
that in some instances two families may have lived in
one house ; but still the fact remains that the territory
was sparsely settled for over a quarter of a century
after the conflict closed.
The same is true of the Stow side of the territory.
k
THE WALKER GARRISON HOUSE.
MAYNARD.
Before Philip’s War it was but sparsely peopled. Who
was the first settler afterwards is unknown (Hist, of
Stow). As before stated, December 4, 1672, a com-
mittee was appointed to lay out twelve farms of fifty
acres each, and “ to cast lotts for them,” yet as late
as June 1, 1675, most of these lots had been forfeited
by a failure of the owners to settle upon them. When
the war closed desolation brooded over the lonely
lands and men were slow to return. In 1681 a list is
given of twelve allotments of land, which lota, it is
supposed, were taken up by 1678 or 1679. These
were assigned to the minister and the following
named persons : Boaz Brown, Gershom Heale, .John
Buttrick, Ephraim Heidi eth, Thomas Stevens, Steven
Hall, Samuel Buttrick, Joseph Freeman, Joseph Da-
by, Thomas Gates and Sydrack Hapgood (Drake’s
“County Hist.”)
It it stated that the country about Stow, being de-
serted by its inhabitants during the war with King
Philip, was quite a place for the Indians to gather
before making their devastating incursions on the
neighboring towns. “ Tradition states that the In-
dians once held a consultation on Pompasitticutt
Hill, overlooking Concord and Sudbury, relative to
which place they should destroy. Sudbury was de-
cided upon because one of the leading warriors said,
‘We no prosper if we burn Concord. The Great
Spirit love that people. He tell us not to go there.
They have a great man there. He great pray.’ This
allusion was to Rev. Edward Bulkley, the Concord
minister. They feared his influence with the Great
Spirit. Hence Concord was saved and Sudbury suf-
fered.” (Drake’s “County Hist.”)
In the Stow “Old Proprietors’ Book,” with date
May 19, 1719, is the following record in relation to
selections of land :
“Pitched on by Richard Temple between Piiini Brook and Willard's
Pond, Tsreal Heald, 8en^, on Pompesiticiit Hill, joining to Joseph Jew-
ell's land, John Butterick, on Ponipsiticut Hill, and on the north side
of his ten acres of meadow. Jacob Stevens at the Oak swamp at his ten
acres on Assabeth Brook and at Elbow meadow, Thomas Whitney*
Benr., joining to his half-moon meadow and Mr. Ooogen's land. Eliza-
beth Fairbank, on Pomipisiticut Hill and at great meadow. John Whit-
aker, on Ponipsiticut Hill and at green Meadow. John Eveleth, on
Ponipsiticut Hill, Joseph Baby, right across the Hill from his house-
lot to Sudbury line Wetheiby’s line. Stephen Randall, four acres by his
home-lot and at his own meadow on Ausabeth Brook.”
“ Stow, Oct. y« 30, 1738. Voted, on said day that Ephraim Gates have
one acre and three-quarters of upland in the common land in Stow, lying
on the westerly side of said^'Gates' House-lot, for consideration of ten
Shillings and one quart of Rume.”
Philip’s War. — As we have reason for supposing
that the part of Sudbury now Maynard was more or
less occupied by English settlers when Philip swept
the town with his besom of destruction, a few facts
relative to that Indian invasion may he both inter-
esting and important. The attack, as has been
stated, was on the 21st of April, 1676. It was a large
force that was led by Philip. According to some
writers there were 1500 warriors and squaws. There
was not a town to the westward of Sudbury to serve
as a barrier to the conquering march of the chief.
fill
IMarlboro’ had fallen, and her dwelling-houses, except
the garrisons, were ash-heaps. A few weeks before
this attack a repulse was given the enemy by men
from Sudbury and IMarlboro’, who surprised them
as they slept at night about their camp-fires, near the
town’s western boundary. This attack, though it may
have hindered them from further depredations at the
time, served only as a temporary check; and it is
supposed that to retrieve the loss sustained at that
time, and avenge the death of their slain, as well as
to wipe out another settlement towards the seaboard,
they rallied with a mighty force for the work. The
west part of the town was to feel the first effects of
the onslaught, and there was no resource left the in-
habitants but to leave the farms they had cleared, and
the humble dwellings they had erected by unremit-
ting toil, and flee to the garrisons. The nearest of
these was, so far as we know, the Walker garrison,
which still stands in the “New Grant ” territory, in the
third squadron, and not far from the southern boun-
dary of the Northwest District. It is a quaint old
structure in the walls of which are upright plank to
resist the force of balls. Another place of refuge was
in the Pantry (Northeast) District of Sudbury. At this
place w’as a small block-house, and, tradition says, a
garrison-house. Another garrison, on the west of
Sudbury River, was the Haynes garrison, near the
Sudbury River meadows ; and still another, the
Browne garrison, at Nobscot, in the fourth squadron
of the “ New Grant.” Probably within one or all of
these, and other fortified farm-houses on the west
side, of which we have no information, the inhabit-
ants of the “New Grant” lands were sheltered by
the night of the 20th of April. The case of Thomas
Plympton and Boon, already mentioned as fleeing
before the savages to a place of refuge, probably indi-
cates the movements of all the settlers in that ex-
posed region at that time. Early on the morning of
the 21st the enemy applied the torch to the deserted
dwellings, having been distributed throughout the
town during the night for the purpose, and the settlers
saw, in the smoke borne aloft on the morning air, the
la-st trace of their former dwelling-places. Around
the garrison-houses was a scene of tumultuous con-
flict. About the time of firing the deserted houses
the enemy attacked the fortified places with great
fury. The fight at the Haynes garrison lasted from
morning till midday, when the savages were re|)ulsed
by the bold defenders who sallied forth, and, as the
record informs us, drove them from their “ skulking
approaches.” In all the sad scenes of those days —
the fight, the siege, the defense, the people of the
“ New Grant ” lands doubtless had their share, and
none more than they would be likely to experience
their desolating effects. Relief was sent from neigh-
boring towns, and from as far east as Boston. Twelve
men came from Concord, eleven of whom were slain
in the river meadow near the Haynes garrison-house.
Another parly came from Watertown, which then was
70
MAYNARD.
the border town on the east. This was commanded
or sent by Capt. Hugh ^lason, and did valiant work
in assisting to drive the Indians from the east to the
west side of the Sudbury River, and so saving the
east side settlement. The other force was led by
Captain Wadsworth, of Milton. Captain Wadsworth
engaged the main force of the enemy at Green Hill
South Sudbury. He was ilrawn into an ambush and
fought bravely till the ap])roach of night and a forest
fire forced him from his position, when his ranks
were broken and most of his command were captured
or slain. A monument marks the si)ot where tin
slain soldiers were buried in one common grave, near
where they fell. (For details of the Wadsworth
Fight or Hattie of Green Hill, see “History ol
Sudbury.'’) Hut though a part of the town received
assistance, nothing could save the Northwest District,
which, from its isolated condition, was doomed from
the first approach of the savage.
Locatiox of Early Homesteads. — Tradition
and record have located some of the early home-
steads and given a few fragmentary facts concerning
the early settlers.
Smith. — The lands at first possessed by the Smith
family were situated on both sides of the Assabet
River, and included all that now occupied by the As-
sabet Manufacturing Company. An old Smith home-
stead stood in the rear of Sudbury Street, on the
island side of the river, and other home.steads of the
family were scattered about the territory. The only
person now left in town bearing the family name
is Henjamin, who lives on the Stow side of the river
Abraham and AVilliaui built a family tomb on the
M’illiam Smith place. On the Levi Smith place, now
owned by the I>evl Smith heirs, Jonathan kept a
hotel about eighty years ago. John was at Sudbury
in lti47. He may have been John Smith, an early
He had assigned him lot No. 29 in the Second Squad-
ron of the “ Two-Mile Grant.” The names Thomas
and Amos were early in the family.
There is a tradition that some time early in the set
tlemeut of the town, during a severe storm in the
spring of the year, several per.sons came to and were
quietly quartered in the barn of one of the Smiths,
perhaps Thomas, near where Mr. A. S. Thompson now
resides. The unknown visitors were afterwards sup-
posed to. have been pirates, from the fact that they
were very free with their money, paying liberally for
what they obtained from the family. It was said that
they threw “pieces of eight” at the swallows for
amusement, and before leaving procured from the
house some clothing fitted for bags, and tools for dig-
ging. The bags, being filled with something aj)par-
ently heavy, were carried by them to the wood",
northerly of the house, and probably buried. The
suspected parties soon after left, no one knowing
whither they went. Subsequently Mr. Smith re-
ceived a letter from some pirates that had been cap-
j tured, convicted, and were about to be executed, re-
j questing him to come and see them, and they would
! give him information that would be of value to him ;
! but Mr. Smith, with the feeling of distrust for crimi-
I nals common to those days, paid no regard to the re-
I quest, and, for aught known, the secret died with the
j writers and may never be revealed, unless some for-
i tunate per.son should discover the hiding-place.
Maynard. — It is supposed that Simon Maynard was
one of the original settlers of the soil. Another who
was there early was Zachariah. The Jlaynard home-
stead was probably near “the Spring,” a few rods
east of the James McGrath, formerly the Otis Puffer
place. Little or no trace now remains of this ancient
homestead, and the household that dwelt in it were
long ago gathered to their fathers. The first Maynard
in Sudbury was John, who, it is suppo.sed, brought
with him to America a son Joseph, aged eight years.
He married for his second wife Mary Axdell in 1646.
Hy this marriage he had a son named “ Zachery,”
born in 1647, and three daughter-s, one of whom mar-
ried Daniel Hudson. ^Ir. Jlaynard was a petitioner
for the Marlboro’ Plantation, and died at Sudbury in
1672. Descendants of the family still live in Sudbury
and Maynard, among whom are John A., of the for-
mer town, and the Maynards of the latter, who are
proprietors of the Maynard Mills, and from whom the
town has received its name.
Rice. — It is supposed that Mathias was the earliest
of this name in the territory. He married a sister of
John and Joseph Balcom, and, it is supposed, owned
a strip or range of land running parallel with the
Halcom estate. The name of Jonathan has long been
familiarly associated with the Rice tavern. The first
to keep this old inn was Jonathan, Sr. It was
opened probably in the early part of the eighteenth
century, perhaps earlier, and was continued as an inn
until about 1815. The brother of Jonathan was
William. Jonathan, the successor of the first land-
lord, was his nephew. He was a bachelor, and in
j stature tall and slim. He died about 1828, near the
I age of eighty. The Rice tavern wa.s kept at the place
now in the possession of John H. Vose.
Colonel Jonathan Rice was a prominent military
man. He is mentioned on the Sudbury muster rolls
as he passes through the various grades of office. In
1777 and 1778 he is mentioned as captain at Saratoga
j in a three-months’ campaign. The lands connected
with the Rice estate were conveyed by Benjamin
I Crane, of Stow, to Joseph Rice, of Marlboro’, in 1685,
: and are described as follows :
“Six Stone and five acres of land that he purchased of John Woods,
’ Sell'., and John Rutter, Sen'., and is Ixiunded iiortlnNard and westward
with the land of Thomas Wedge, southward with the land of Solomon
' Johnson, Jun' , eastward by a highway thirty rods wide, running
between the squadron of lots in the New Grants of Sudbury aforesaid, to
j have and to hold the said tract of land, six stone and five acres •(be the
! same more or less) with the bouse thereon erected, and all the fences be-
longing to the said tract of land, and all timber and firewood and tbe
orchard tbereon, w ith all the conveniency of water thereon, whether of
Pond or Brook, and all profit and advantage.'*
MAYNARD.
This land was conveyed by Jonathan Rice to Wil-
liam RicCj his son, and in 1733 described as bounded
by land now in possession of Ephraim Pratt.
Edmund Rice was one of the early grantees of Sud-
bury, and one of the petitioners for the plantation of
Marlboro’ in 1656. Ilis son Henry came with him
from England, and had assigned him lot No. 31 in
the third squadron of the “ New Grant.” «
Broicn. — The Brown farm, which consisted of two
hundred acres allowed to AVilliam Brown by the
General Court, was situated north of the A.ssabet
River, mostly on the bend running westerly. It lies
on both sides of the road to South Acton, and its north-
ern boundary reaches nearly to the Acton town bound.
The Marlboro’ Branch of the Fitchburg Railroad passes
through apart of it. We are informed by a deed
dated 1739 that it was conveyed by Edmund to
Josiah Brown, of Sudbury, for the sum of £1500.
The following is a partial copy of the deed, dated.
Sept. 3. 1739 :
“ To all people to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Know ye
that I, Edmund Bniwn, of township of york, in the Province of >» Mas
sachusetts Bay, in New England, yeoman, for and vpon consideration of
y® sum of Fifteen Hundred Pounds to me in hand well and truly paid
before the insealing hereof, by Josiah Brown, of Sudbury, in the
County of Middlesex. &c. ... a certain tract of land Cytimte,
Lying, and Being in Stow in the County of Middlesex, and Province
aforesaid, containing by estimation Two hundred acres, be the same
more or less, bounded as followeth, viz. : Beginning at ye Northwesterly
corner of the premises, at a Stake & Stones thence, running easterly one
mile to a thirty-rod highway thence turns and runs soutlferly on
said highway seventy-seven rods, or near thereabouts to lands in the
possession of Edward Fuller, and thence runs westerly one mile to lands
in the posession of Amos Brown- thence northerly to the Stake A
Stones where we began. Also, one other piece of land lying in Shrws-
bury, (fee. Edmund Brown.
The Brown farm has since been divided up, and is
now to an extent possessed by the Brown heirs.
Fifty acres belong to George Brown and another sec-
tion to Henry Fowler, who married into the family.
Rev. Edmund Brown was the first minister of the
Sudbury Church and died in 1678 ; William was the j
first deacon. They both came from England and <
were of the town’s original grantees.
Puffer. — Jabez and James, the first of this family
in Sudbury, came from Braintree in 1712. Capt. Ja-
bez married Mary Glazier in 1702. He had seven
children and died in 1746. Jabez (2d) married
Thankful Haynes, of Sudbury. A sou of Jabez (2d)
was Rev. Reuben Piift'er, who graduated at Harvard
College in 1778. He afterwards resided at Berlin, and
became somewhat distinguished in his profession. He
received the degree of D.D. from his Alma Mater.
The Puffer farm was in the southerly part of the
“ New Grants,” and was formerly the Wedge-Pratt
farm. In this vicinity were extensive woodlands,
which were the favorite resorts of wild pigeons.
Th.ese birds were caught in abundance by means of a
net ; and to such an extent was this done on the
Puffer place, that one of the late proprietors was
familiarly known in the neighborhood as “Pigeon-
Catching Puffer.”
The process of capturing the.se birds was to spread
grain over the ground in .some favorable place iii the
woods for the sjjace of a few feet or rods and thus
entice the birds to a .spot where a net was so arranged
that it could be sprung by a person concealed in a
bow-house. Due precaution was taken l)y the i)ro-
prietor to prevent the firing of guns iti the near
neighborhood, and the birds, for a time undisturbed,
lingered about the place until allured to the net.
This skillful pigeon-catcher once took thirty-nine
dozens and eleven birds at one draw of his net; the
twelfth bird of the last dozen was also captured, but
escaped before being taken from the net.
Freeman. — The mark of Samuel Freeman, with the
name of John Balcom, is attached to ^le Indian deed
of the “ New Grants,” testifying that John Boman,
one of the Indian proprietors of the land, signed the
deed in their presence. We have no definite knowl-
edge of the exact place of the Freeman homestead.
The name of Joseph is among the eleven Stow set-
tlers who had" lots assigned them in 1678 or 1679;
and the same name is among the Sudbury petitioners
for relief because of loss in King Philip’s War. John
Freeman was one of the original Sudbury grantees.
His wife’s name was Elizabeth, and they had one
child named Joseph, born March 29, 1645.
The name of Joseph Freeman is among the names
given in the Indian deed of the “ New Grant.”
Gibson. — The Gibson family early and for a long
time lived on the Stow side of the river, on what is
now known as the Summer Hill farm, on the south
side of Pomposetticut Hill. An early member of the
family was Arrington.
Taylor. — The Taylors lived west of the present
Balcom place, and their estate extended northerly
towards the river. The lands long since passed out
of the possession of the family.
Brigham. — The Brighams lived on the old Sudbury
and Marlboro’ road, near the Sudbury town line.
The old Brigham homestead, where Abijah formerly
lived, stood about ten rods west of the present Lucius
Brigham house. It was a large, old-fashioned, red
building, with a long sloping roof. The name of
John Brigham is on the Indian deed of the new' grant
lands, and also on the petition to Gov. Dudley in
1706-07for a West Precinct in Sudbury. The ancestor
of the family in New England was Thomas, w'ho came
from London to America in 1635. The name of John
Brigham is among the names given in the deed of
! the “New Grant.”
Marble. — The Marble family lived on the Stow side
of the river. The marble place was probably that
occupied by the Daniel Whitman family, on the Acton
town line. None by the name now reside in town.
Pratt. — This family lived in the Northwest District
of Sudbury, in the south part of the present territory
of Maynard. In 1743 the farm was sold to Jabez
Puffer, of Braintree.
Ephraim Pratt went to Shutesbury, w'here he died in
72
MAYNARD.
1804. It is said that he was one hundred and sixteen
years old at the time of his death. The following
is an account given of him in Dr. Dwight’s “ Travels:”
“Hewtts boru at Sudbury, Masssiichusults, in 1687, and in one inontli
from the date of our arrival (Wednesday, November 13, 1803), would
complete his one hundred and si.xteenth year. Ho was of middle
stature, firmly built, plump, but not encumbered with tlesh ; less with-
ered than multitudes at seventy ; possessed considerable strength, as was
evident from the grasp of his hand and the sound of his voice, and
without any marks of extreme age. .\bout two months before his sight
became so impaired that he was unable to distinguish persons. Ills hear-
ing, also, for a short time had been so imperfect, that ho could not dis-
tinctly hear coinmon conversation. Ills memory was still vigorous;
his iiiidei'slaiidiiig sound, and his mind sprightly ami vigorous. 'I'lif
principal part of the time which I was in the house, he held me by the
hand; cheerfully answered all my ipiestioiis ; readily gave me an ac-
count of himself in such particulars as 1 wished to know, otwerved to
me that my voice indicated that I was not less than forty-live yeai-s ol
age, and that he must appear very old to me ; adding, however, that
some men who had not passed their seventieth year, probably looked
almost or quite as old as himself. The leniark was certainly just ; but
it was the tiist lime that 1 had heard persons who had reached the age
of seventy considered as being young. We are iiifoniied, partly by him
self and partly by his host, that he had been a laborious man all his life ;
and, particnlaily, that he had mown grass one hundred and one years
successively. The preceding siiinmer he had been unable to perforin
this labor. During this season his utmost effort was a walk of half a
mile. Ill this walk he stumbled over a log and fell. Immediately
afterwards he began evidently to decline, and lost in a considerable de
gree both his sight and hearing.
“In the sunimer of 1803 he walked without inconvenienco two miles,
and mowed a small quantity of grass. Throughout his life he had
been uniformly temperate, .\rdent spirits he rarely tasted. Cider he
drank at times, but sparingly. In the vigorous periods of life he had
accustomed himself to eat flesh, but more abstemiously than most other
people in this country. IMilk, which had always been a great part, was
now the whole of his diet. He is naturally cheerful and humorous,
and not iiiueli inclined to serious thinking. According to an account
uliich he gave his host, he made a public profession of religion, nearly
seventy years before our visit to him ; lint was not supposed by him. nor
by others acquainted with him, to he a religious man. He conversed
easily, and was plainly gratified with the visits and conversation of
strangers. When he was ninety-thiee years old, he made a bargain with
his host twho told us the story), that he should support him during the
remainder of his life for £20. He was never sick but once, and then
with fever and ague. It is scarcely necessary to observe that a man one
hundred and sixteen years old, without religion, was a melancholy sight
to me.”
Wood. — None of the former Wood ftimily now
live in Maynard. A little more than a quarter of a
century ago two of the family resided on the Stow side
of the river and kept quite a popular ladies’ boarding-
school. The house belonging to the family is near
the old Sudbury and Stow town line. The bridge
near the ” Whitman Place,” is commonly known as
the “Dr. Wood’s Rridge.”
John Wood was one of the original grantees of
Sudbury. He was one of the petitioners for the
Marlboro’ township, and was one of the selectmen of
that town in 1663-65.
Jelyl. — The land owned by Jekyl was, it is sup-
posed, on the Stow side of the river, in the vicinity of
Pompassiticutt Hill. John was the name of an early
member of the family.
Balcom. — The Balcom estate was first owned by
John and Joseph. It included land now in the pos-
session of Asahel Balcom, Esq., and three or four
strips extending from about this place to the Vose
farm. The Balcoms are descended from Henry, of
Charlestown, Mass., a blacksmith. He married Eliz-
abeth Haynes, of Sudbury. Soon after his death, in
1683, the family moved to Sudbury, and settled in the
locality above designated. The family has been a
prominent one, and the name familiar on the muster-
rolls of the town. Asahel Balcom, the only one of
the name remaining in town, is a prominent citizen.
Before the incorporation of the town he was one of
the familiar town officials of Sudbury. At one time
he taught the school in the Northwest District. He
was connectetl with the Sudbury military company, a
justice of the peace, and passed through the various
town offices with the esteem of his townsmen. He
wrote the historical sketch of Maynard for Drake’s
“ County History.”
As one by one the former owners of these old estates
passed away, their remains were probably carried for
interment to the old burial-places of Sudbury and
Stow. The oldei burying-groiind in Sudbury was on
the east side of Sudbury River, near the present Way-
land Centre. About the time of the erection of a
meeting-house at Rocky Plain (Sudbury Centre) land
was set apart for a burial-place there, and since then
slow processions from the Northwest District have
mostly stopped at its gate. The grave of Captain
Jabez Puffer is just beside the county road, on the
north side of this yard ; and scattered throughout that
“thickly-peopled ground” are time-worn tombstones
on which are inscribed the names of Rice, Balcom,
Smith, Pratt, Maynard, Willis and others.
Early Religious and Educational Advant-
ages.— As Maynard territory was originally a part of
two towns, and situated on the outskirts, the inhabit-
ants were remote from churches and schools. Thoseliv-
ing in Sudbury were prior to 1722-23, at which time a
meeting-house was erected at Rocky Plain (Sudbury
Centre), a half dozen miles from church. On a petition
presented to the Oeneral Court by the people in the
west part of Sudbury, bearing date January 15, 1707,
among the thirty one signatures are the following names
of persons who probably lived in the Northwest Dis-
trict: “ John Brigham, Tho. Smith, timothy gibson, Jr.,
.loseph F. Jewel [his mark], Melo C. Taylor [his
mark], .lohn Balcom, Joseph Balcom, Thomas Smith,
.lunior, Jonathan Rice.’’ The substance of the peti-
tion sets forth the hardships incident to the long
journey to the meeting-house, on the east side of Sud-
bury River. The following is the petition :
“ Petition of the West Side. People of Sudbury to Governor Dudley and
the General Assembly.
“ The petition of us, who are the subscribers living on ye west side of
Sudbury great River, Humbly showeth that whereas ye All-wise and
Over-Ruling providence of ye great God, Lord of Heaven and Earth,
who is God blessed forever moore, hath cast our lott to fall on that side
of the River by Reason of the flud of watare, whiclj for a very great
part of the yeare <loth very much incomode us and often by extremity
of water and terrible winds, and a great part of the winter by ice, as it
is at this present, so tliat wee are shut up and cannot come forth, and
many times w'ee doe atempt to git over our flud, we are forced for to
seek our spiritual good with the peril of our Lives.
“Beside the extreme Travill that many of us are Exposed unto sum
SUDBURY CENTRE,
UNITAIUAN MEETING HOUSE— TOWN HALE —METHODIST AIEE'J'ING HOUSE.
MAYNARD.
3: 4: 5: 6: miles much more than a Sabbath day's journey, by Reason
of those and many more objections — to many here to enumerate — where-
by many of our children and little ones, ancient and weak persons, can
very Rarly attend the public worehip. The considered premises we truly
pray your Kxcellency ami ye Honorable Council and House of Repre-
sentatives to consider ami compassionate us in our Extreme suffering
condition, and if we may obtain so much favor in your Eyes as to grant
us [our presents] lus to appoint us a Commjty to see and consider our cir-
cumstances and make report thereof to this honorable Court. And your
pore petitioners shall ever pray.
“ SndfcHry, .lanuary 1.5*^ 1700-07.'*
This shows that distance did not altogether deter
the people from Sabbath observance in the house
of worship, but it indicates the denials they endured
for the sake of their faith.
It also shows the condition of things to which
the people of the district were subjected. It was by
no means a meaningless paper that was thus sent to
the Court, but every sentence had a real significance.
To be deprived of sanctuary privileges in those times
had more of hardship than such deprivations would
have in these later years. With few books of any
description in their homes, with no issues of the peri-
odical from a weekly press and little intercourse witli
their townspeople of other parts of the sparsely-set-
tled community, absence from church on the Sabbath
meant much. Neither did the petitioners overesti-
mate the obstacles that sometimes stood in their way.
It was not the mere matter of distance, but the perils
that were incident to it, of which they mostly com-
plained. Those brave pioneer spirits were not stop[>ed
by a shadow. They were made of stern stuff, and it
took a substance to block up their way. But the sub-
stance was there. The Sudbury River was at times
utterly impassable. Vast floods sometimes covered
the entire meadows. On different occasions the in-
habitants of Sudbury souglit aid from the General
Court for the betterment of the river meadows. The
same floods that covered the meadow-lands covered,
also, the causeway, and sometimes the bridge itself.
The town, in its earlier history, appointed parties “to
stake the causeway,” that when the flood was upon
them travellers might not stray from their way and
perish. Again and again were those causeways raised
to a place then above the flood, but not until com-
paratively modern times were they exempt from occa-
sional inundations.
But better times were to come to the people.
The petition for a division of the town of Sudbury
into ail East and West Precinct succeeded after a
lapse of nearly a score of years. By 1723 preaching
services began to be held on the west side of the river
and a meeting-house was completed there by 1725.
New Sabbath day accommodations were thus afforded
to the inhabitants of the Northwest District, and the
distance to the meeting-house was shortened by
about three miles. No longer was the “Great River,
with its And of watare,” to keep them at home on Sun-
day. At the time that this new meeting-house was
erected, the New Lancaster Road ran, as now (with
some slight variation) from “ Rocky Plain ” (Sudbury
6
73
Centre) to the vicinity of the .\ssabet River and the
distance over it was but aliout three miles. In those
earlier times this distance might he considered (juite
sliort, es|>ecially would it be so considered in compar-
ison with the longer one whicli had liitlierto been
travelled. There was no swelling flood to be crossed
nohigli, bleak hills, with a rougii, circuitous path, but
a pleasant way by the occasional farm-house and
sometimes by tlie slieltering woods.
The people of the town’s out-districts in those days
carried tlieir dinners with them to church, and some-
times a small foot-stove with coals. Some of the in-
habitants from the remote homesteads had a small
house near the place of worship, called a “noon-
house,” whither they repaired at the noon inter-
mission. Tliese “ noon-houses” were provided with
a fire-i)lace, which the owners kept supplied with
wood, and in this snug, quiet resort they could com-
fortably pass the noon hour, warm their lunch, re-
[ilenish their foot-stove with coals and drive off' the
chill of their long morning walk or ride, and the still
greater chill occasioned by the fireless meeting-house.
As late as 1772 there is on the Sudbury record tlie fol-
lowing, relating to four persons who were, it is sup-
posed, then citizens of the Northwest District, and who
were probably associated as neighbors in the work of
providing a “ noon-liouse : ”
“The town gave leave to John Balcom, Jo.seph
Willis, Abijah Brigliam and Jonathan Smith, to set
uj) a small House on the town land near the west
meeting-house for the people to repair to on the Sab-
bath day.”
In those times tlie people rode to meeting on horse-
back, the pillion being used, a man riding in front and
tlie woman behind. The old “ horse-block,” until
within a few years, stood beneath a large button-wood
tree before tlie old meeting-house at Sudbury Centre.
To this large, flat stone — for such the “horse-block”
was — the church-goers from the Northwest District
directed the horse, that the woman might safely
alight. There they unloaded the foot-stove and basket
of lunch, and, if early, repaired perhaps to the noon-
house to deposit their food, arrange their wraps, and
start a fire that it might be in readiness for their noon-
day meal.
The people of the “New Grant” lots, after the
completion of a west-side meeting-house at Sudbury,
still enjoyed the services of the Rev. Israel Loring,
who cast his lot with the West Precinct. The minis-
trations of such a man were a privilege to any people
who were religiously disposed, and their long journey
was by no means without its great spiritual benefits.
Dr. Loring contliined their minister for years, dying
ill 1772, in the ninetieth year of his age and the
sixty-.sixth of his ministry. His successor in the
pastoral office was Rev. Jacob Bigelow, who was
ordained Nov. 11, 1772, and continued their minister
for years.
The church privileges that were afforded the set-
74
MAYNARD.
tiers of the Maynard territory by Sudbury were, so
far as we know, all that they received until as late as
1683, when the town of Stow made a “rate” for
preaching. One of the early ministers who preached
a short time on the Stow side was Rev. Samuel Paris,
in whose family at Salem Village (now Danvers), the
Salem witchcraft delusion began. June 5, 168'), the
town of Stow made a rate to pay INIr. Paris “for his
pains amongst us.” This clergyman afterwards lived
and taught school in Sudbury, where he died. The
youth of the Northwest District may have had him for
an instructor, as the records inform us that in 1717
he was to teach school “ four months on the west side
the river and the rest of the year at his own house.”
Mr. Paris preached but a short time for the people
of Stow. On the 24th of July, 1639, a call was ex-
tended to Rev. John Eveleth, and in 1702 he was in-
stalled as j)a.stor. He continued as the town’s minis-
ter until 1717, when he wiis dismissed, and in 1718,
Rev. John Gardner became his successor and contin-
ued such for over fifty-six years. For substance of
doctrine doubtless the preaching to which which the
people who lived on either side the river listened was
sound and after the old forms of faith, but until the
commencement of Mr. Gardner’s pastorate there
probably lacked on the Stow side that stability and
consecutiveness of infiuence that the people enjoyed
who lived on the Sudbury side, where there were but
three pastors in the long space of more than a cen-
tury and a quarter, during a large part of which time
the ministry was exceptionally good.
Rut after IMr. Gardner’s installation there was a
long, generally peaceful and influential pastorate,
during which season over two hundred persons united
with the church.
After Rev. John Gardner’s decease, Rev. Jonathan
Newell was installed Jis pastor of the Stow Church.
His installation took place in 1774, and continued un-
til December 22, 1828, when the town accepted of his
resignation and voted “ to hold in lasting remem-
brance and veneration the Rev. iMr. Newell . . .
for the deep interest he has ever manifested in their
welfare collectively and individually.”
ScHOOUs. — Educational privileges, like those of a re-
ligious nature, were for years only to be obtained by
exposure and effort. In Sudbury, prior to 1700, they
were very scant; and when, a little later, a school was
established on each side the river, the children living
remote from the centres would naturally be at a dis-
advantage. Rut as years advanced, privileges in-
creased. Ry April 17, 1719, the town was
called upon “ to see if it will grant the northwest
quarter of the town’s petition, they desiring the
school-master some part of the time with them.”
Among the teachers who early taught in town was
John Ralcom. In 1701 the town “voted and chose
John Long and John Ralcom,” who were to “ teach
children to rede and wright and cast accounts.” As
the family of Henry Ralcom, of Charlestown, moved
to the northwest part of Sudbury about 1685, it
is probable that this family furnished one of the
town’s early school-masters. In 1779 the town of
Sudbury voted to build a new school-house in the
“northwest corner of the town,” and to appropriate
two old school-houses for the erection of a new one.
In 1800 the town granted money for building three
school -houses, which money was to be equally di-
vided between the districts. The Northwest was to
have for its share $157.50. Lieutenant Hopestill
Willis was then committee-man for the district. The
northwest portion of Sudbury, now in Maynard, was,
it is supposed, a school district for at least a hundred
and fifty years. The school-house stood at about the
centre of the district, by the county roadside, not far
from the Ralcom place. For years there was quite a
well-known private school for young ladies in this
district, called the Smith School. It was kept by Miss
Susan Smith at the Levi Smith place and was discon-
tinued about thirty years ago. On the Stow side
school privileges were perhaps even more meagre in
the early times than on the Sudbury side, its settle-
ment being of later date. The first reference to schools
there is said to be in 1715, when a school-master was
chosen for one quarter of a year. The schools were
at first kept in private houses and the vote to build
the first school-house was in 1731-32.
Cx’STOMS, JIannkrs and Laws. — The customs,
manners and laws of Sudbury belonged to the inhabit-
ants of the Northwest District in common with all
the others. The people were of an English ancestry,
associated together in pioneer work and partook of and
were moulded by the same general influences. They
were religious in their habits, stanch and Puritanic in
their principles. They greatly venerated God’s word.
Town-meetings were opened by prayer, and an over-
ruling Providence was recognized in life’s common
affairs. For many years the people met for political
purposes in the meeting-house on the east side of the
river. At this place also, as a small social and com-
mercial centre, they obtained news from the other
settlements. Every tax-payer w’as called upon to
support the minister of the town by the payment of
“rates.” These rates were levied by the invoice-
taker and gathered by the town marshal. The people
were as surely called upon to pay the minister’s tax
as the King’s tax.
The following records show that the town was not
careless in collecting these dues: “November, 1670,
Ordered that Jon. Stanhope do see that the minis-
ter’s rate be duly paid, and in case any neglect or
refuse to pay their proportions to said rates when due,
he is appointed and impowered by the town to sum-
mons such persons before a magistrate, there to answer
for their neglect.” In 1683-84 it was voted, “That
whereas certain proprietors and inhabitants of the
town have neglected to pay their proportions to the
minister’s rate, and added to the evil by net paying
the proportion due upon the two six months’ rates
MAYNARD.
*(5
made since, to the dishonor of God, contempt of his
worship, unrighteousness to their neighbors, as if
they : : : slyly intended they should pay their
rates for them again, and to the disturbance in and
damage of this town, after so much patience used, and
to the end this town may not longer be haflled : : :
III his majesties name you are therefore now required
forthwith to [collect] by distress upon the monies,
neat cattle, sheep or other beasts, corn, grain, hay,
goods or any other estate movable (not disallowed by
law) you can find so much of each person herein
named so greatly transgressing, the several sum or
sums set off against each man’s name.”
In the early times there were people living on the
town’s border, who were designated “ farmers,” and
their estates were called “farms.” It was probably
with reference to these that the following order was
passed in 1677-78: “All persons bordering upon this
town and who live and dwell near unto the precinct
thereof shall pay (not only to the ministry but also)
to all town rates, for that they belong to us, they shall
be assessed their due proportions, as all other inhabit-
ants of this town are, and in case of any of them re-
fusing to pay, the same shall be levied by distress.”
The early settlers were accustomed to look care-
fully after the morals of the community. The town
was divided into districts and men were chosen to
visit, individually, each family and “inspect their
condition,” and catechise the children and servants,
and render a report of their doings to the town. At
one time the selectmen were entrusted with this im-
portant matter. The stocks were a means of correc-
tion and punishment. These were placed near the
meeting-house; and are repeatedly mentioned in the
records. Later, in the town’s history, tithingmen
were appointed, and the service of these officials was
continued for years.
Commercial transactions were carried on by means
of agricultural products, money being a scarce
article, and the settlers would convey these products
to some central place for barter or for the payment of
debts. The inn was the place generally used for this
kind of exchange, and the Parmenter ordinary is
often referred to in this connection. The minister
was paid partly in money, but largely in such articles
as flax, malt, butter, pork and peas.
Rates for labor were regulated by town action.
Carpenters, thatchers and bricklayers at one time
were to have “twenty pence for a day’s work ; and
common laborers eighteen pence a day.” Y'early cov-
enanted servants were to take but five pounds for a
year’s service and maid servants were to take but
“ fifty shillings the year’s service.” Laws were made
concerning domestic animals, viz.: that cattle were
not allowed to go at large on the town’s common land
except under certain restrictions; and swine were
to be “ ringed and yoked.”
Bounties were offered for the capture of wild ani-
mals;as wolves and foxes, and at times also for the de-
struction of mischievous birds. The town provided
ammunition for the inhabitants, and men were as-
signed to the duty of procuring it and dividing it up.
For a time the meeting-house was used as a place of
deposit for the “ town’s stock of ammunition.” The
town early set apart reservations of land for pasturage
and timber for the public use. There was one large
reservation on the east and one on the west side of
the river; and these two together contained a large
share of the original grant of five miles square. The
reservation on the west side extended from the river
nearly to the eastern border of the two mile grant,
and northerly nearly to the northeastern part of the
territory now Maynard. The inhabitants were lim-
ited on the number of cattle they were allowed to
pasture in the common land by a rule based on the
number of acres of meadow-land which they pos-
sessed.
In the social life of those days great respect was
paid to merit and position. Seats in the meeting-
house were assigned in accordance with age, merit
and the amount paid for thesupportof theministry.
Military titles were much in use; even the minor offi-
cers of the rank and file were carefully designated by
their appropriate affix. Sergeant, Corporal and En-
sign, Lieutenant and Captain are common terms on
the record. The term Goodman was applied to men
considered especially substantial and trustworthy.
Political officers were chosen in accordance with mer-
it; and when a person was elected to a public posi-
tion, he was expected to serve, unless a good excuse
could be rendered. If he refused he was subjected
to a fine. Idleness and lack of thrift found no favor
with the early settlers of Sudbury. This class were
not allowed to enter the territory, if their coming
was known ; and if they entered by fraud or stealth
they were liable to be warned away, and any resi-
dent who knowingly encouraged the coming of such a
one was subjected to a fine and censure.
The circumstances of the people required the strict-
est economy and industry. A long succession of inter-
colonial wars oppressed them with heavy taxation ;
and the number of able bodied men was at times de-
pleted by calls to the country’s service at the front.
The implements of husbandry were rude and clumsy
and mostly of home manufacture. Home-spun fab-
rics were in use, and the women and older children
needed strong and nimble hands to keep the house-
hold clothed. The first houses were small, rude
structures ; and the material of which they were
made was probably all wrought out by hand. There
is no mention of a saw-mill in town till 1677, when
permission was given to “ Peter King, Thomas Read,
sen., John Goodenow, John Smith and Joseph Free-
man to build a saw-mill upon Hop Brook, above
Peter Noyes’s Mill.” This mill was situated in the
second or third squadron of the New Grant. Two
of the foregoing names are of settlers in the North-
I west District. Before the erection of this saw-mill.
76
MAYNAEP.
sawn material would be scarce. Probably hewn logs
were largely used, with clay placed over the joints.
The roofs were covered with thatch. Clay and thatch
were made use of in the construction of the second
meeting-house in 1654. The records inform us that
a committee was appointed “ to agree with somebody
to fill the walls of the meeting-house with tempered
clay, provided they do not exceed the sum of 5
pounds 10 shillings.” The following is a record of
a house and barn put up by Edward Rice in the south-
east part of Sudbury about 1650. The dwelling-
house was “ 30 foote long, 10 foote high stud, 1 foot
sill from the ground, 16 foote wide, with two rooms,
both below or one above the other; all the doores
well hanged, and staires, with convenient fastenings
of locks or bolts, windows glazed, and well planked
under foote, and boarded sufliciently to lay come in in
the story above head.” The barn was “ 50 foote long,
11 foote high in the stud, one foote above ground, the
sell 20 foote if no leantes, or IS foote wide with
leantes on the one side, and a convenient threshing
floare between the doares” (Rariy). In the primitive
dwellings there may have been more of warmth and
comfort than we are wont to sui)pose. JIany of
them were built near the shelter of the forest, or on
the sunny si<le of some protecting upland. W'ithin
the building was a large fire-place with abroad stone
hearth. IVood was abundant and near at hand ; and
as the bright flames flickered up on a winter’s night
they afforded both light and heat.
Highways, Bridges and Grist-mild. — High-
ways.— The primitive highways of this territory were
doubtless rude, being, as in every new country, but
mere wootl-paths or trails to the scattered homesteads
aud meadow-lots, and, in this case, centering in a
“great road” which led to the meeting-hou.se, tavern
and mill. As these public places lay in a southerly
direction, it is probable that one of the earliest main
highways was the “ New Lancaster Road.” This road
probably existed previous to 1725 ; aud its course, as
given on the Hathias Mosmau map of 1794, was
from the Sudbury meeting-house northwesterly, pass-
ing south of Vose’s Pond by the old Rice tavern into
Stow. The present “ Great Road” from Sudbury Cen-
tre by J. H. Vose’s is supposed to be a part of that
road. This is called the “ New Lancaster Road ” to dis-
tinguish it from the “Old Lancaster Road,” of Sud-
bury, which was laid out about 1653, and which is
designated as the “ Old Lancaster Road ” on the Mos-
man map.
As the “ New Lancaster Road ” was long since con-
sidered ancient by the inhabitaiiLs of the Northwest
District, it has been called the “ Old Lancaster Road,”
and hence may have been considered by some to be
the only Lancaster road. The “ Old Lancaster Road ”
passed out of Sudbury some distance south of the
new one, and is that mentioned in connection with the
laying out, apportionment and location of the “New
Grant” lots. As the “ New Lancaster Road” is in-
tersected at Sudbury Centre by a way that led to the
Hop Brook grist-mill, or Noyes’ mill, at South Sud-
bury, the settlers of this district would naturally go
to mill by this way before the erection of a mill nearer
by. A highway that early passed diagonally through
the Sudbury part of Maynard is what was known as
the “ ( )ld IMarlboro’ and Concord Great Road.” This
was a much-travelled highway in the last quarter of
the last century. At its intersection with the New
Lancaster Road stood the Old Rice Tavern; and
along its course a little to the northerly were some of
the old estates of the district. As the Northwest Dis-
trict developed, short ways were provided for it by the
town. Between 1725 and 1750 mention is made in
the records of a way from “ Honey Pot Brook through
.labez Puffer’s land.” The “Thirty-rod highway,”
going northerly, pa.ssed a little easterly of the Rice
tavern ; and it is not im|)robable that the North
road, by the Balcoms, is a part of that ancient land-
mark. It is suppo.'ed that the east “Thirty-rod
highway ’’ reached the tow n’s northerly boundary at or
near tbe powder-mills, by Acton and Concord Corner.
Bridges. — The first record of which we have any
knowledge concerning a bridge in this territory is of
date Dec. 14, 1715, when the town of Sudbury voted
that “ there be a horse bridge built over Assabeth
River, . . . and that the selectmen do order that
y' bridge be erected and built over Assabeth River,
between y“ land of Timothy Gibson’s and Tbomas
Burt’s laud.” The first bridge was probably the Lan-
caster road bridge,and known as the Dr. Wood’s Bridge.
It stood on or by the site of the present bridge near
the Whitman place, not far from the entrance of
Assabeth Brook. The bridge next cast is the old
Fitchburg road or Hainan Smith Bridge, aud was
built about seventy-five years ago. The next is the
Jewell Mill’s Bridge, and was probably built to ac-
commodate the mills. The Paper Mill Bridge was
built a little more than half a century ago. It is sup-
posed that previous to its erection the river was
crossed at that point by a fordw'ay. The road con-
nected with this bridge was laid out by the county
commissioners about the time the bridge was made.
Grist-mill. — The first grist-mill was near the present
Brooks place. It has had several owners, among
whom are Gibson, Jewell and Smith. A saw-mill
has been connected with it; and thither the inhabit-
ants carried their saw-logs and corn in those early
years, when “ to go to mill ” was quite an event to
the homestead. At the mill and the inn the inhabit-
ants of the hamlet gossiped and gathered the news, as
well as procured household supplies. The bread of
those days was made largely of rye and Indian meal,
wheat being but little used as late as the beginning of
the present century. This main reliance on meal
made large demands on the mill, and from long dis-
tances the grists were brought in a rude cart or on
horse-back. Thus this mill was an important place,
and although an humble structure in comparison
MAYNARD.
with the large factories that stand to-day near by, it
was very essential to the comfort of man and beast.
Character of the Settlers.— Notwithstanding
this section was for a time so isolated, its influence was
felt throughout the towns to which it belonged, and
it furnished some of their best and most trustworthy
citizens. In Sudbury the name of Balcom, Rice,
Smith, Puffer, Brigham, Vose, Maynard and others
have been on the list of the towm’s official board;
while in Stow, the Gibsons, Whitneys, Browns, Co-
nants. Smiths aud others have been well-known and
substantial citizens. On the Sudbury muster-rolls of
the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars,
names long familiar in the North w'est Di.strict are
common. In a list of fourteen Sudbury men, who
were in the campaign for the capture of Louisbourg at
Cape Breton, the name of Balcom is given four times.
Four brothers enlisted in the closing campaign of the
last French War, and were in or about New York in
1760, viz.: Joseph, Jr., Simon, Moses and John Bal-
com. The first two served as soldiers ; Moses, at the
age of eighteen, was detailed for duty as a boatman on
the Mohawk River to forward army supplies to the
front ; John, aged sixteen, was employed as a teamster ;
Simon died in the army of fever, at the age of thirty-
one ; Joseph took the small-pox on returning home
and died. His father and one child took the disease
from him and died also. They were buried about
the centre of the plain, on the farm of Lewis Brig-
ham. The names of Sudbury men in the companies
of Capts. Samuel Dakin, John Nixon and Josiah
Richardson, wdio were in the Canada campaign of the
French and Indian War, which are associated with
the Northwest District are Eveleth, Pufi'er, Maynard,
Skinner, Wetherby, Brigham, Balcom, Rice and
Willis. These names repeatedly appear with different
Christian name.s, indicating how' w’ell this territory
was represented in those old wars. As the territory
of Maynard was taken from two towns in which a
patriotic spirit prevailed in the Revolutionary War,
it is safe to assume that its inhabitants bore their full
share in that protracted struggle.
Sudbury had five companies, two of which were
from the West Precinct, and Stow' had two in the en-
gagement with the British on their retreat from Con-
cord, April 19, 1775. On theSudbury muster-rolls of
the west side militia and minute companies, the name
of Maynard is given five time.s. Rice five. Putter five,
' Brigham four, Willis four. Smith three and Balcom
two. It was stated by one who was a Sudbury citizen
and soldier in the Revolutionary period that “ to the
honor of Sudbury” there was not a “Tory” to be
found in the town. In the Great Civil War Sudbury
and Stow did their full share of service. Sudbury
furnished one hundred and sixty-eight men, which
was over and above all demands, and appropriated
and expended on account of the w'ar, exclusive of
State aid, $17,575. It had a population in 1860 of
1691, and a valuation of $1,052,778.
Stow furnished for the Union Army one hundred
and forty-three men. Several soldiers from each of
these towns lost their lives in their country’s service.
Not only were the former inhabitants of the Maynard
territory influential in town matters and well repre-
sented in military service, but some of them exerted
an influence which was largely felt in the formation
of the tow’n of Grafton, in Worcester County. The
land of the Grafton township, which contains 7500
acres, was purchased of the native proprietors uj)on
leases oljtained of the General Court, May, 1724. The
petition asking the privilege of making the purchase
was presented by a number of citizens, principally
from Marlboro’, Sudbury, Concord and Stow ; and the
petitioners sought leave “ to purchase of the Hassa-
namisco Indians land at that place.” In the Indian
deed concerning the territory, among other specific
declarations is the following: “To Jonathan Rice
and Richard Taylor, both of Sudbury in the County
of Middlesex aforesaid, husbandmen, each one fortieth
part thereof ... to them and their respective
heirs and a.ssigns forever.” After the purchase of the
territory and the establishment of the plantation,
those who composed the company laying claim to the
territory held proprietors’ meetings, more or iess of
which were at the house of Jonathan Rice in Sud-
bury. Their records and proceedings show the promi-
nent part taken by Sudbury citizens in the fornsation
of the township. A few specimens of these records
are as follows : “At a meeting of the Proprietors of
the common aud undivided lands in Hassanamisco,
holden in the house of Jonathan How in Marlboro’,
April, 1728, Mr. Jonathan Rice was chosen clerk for
the Proprietors to enter and record all votes and
orders from time to time as shall be made and passed
in said Proprietors’ meetings.” “ July 9, 1728. The
Proprietors held a meeting at Sudbury, at the house
of Jonathan Rice, and chose a committee to lake
charge of building a meeting-house.” “ Jan. 6, 1730.
At the house of Jonathan Rice, voted to lay out 3
acres to each Proprietor 30 acres of land for the third
division ; voted to raise seven pounds of money on
each Proprietor for the finishing of the meeting-house
and school-house.”
In' the appointment of committees for important
business Sudbury w'as creditably represented. The
committee chosen “ to take a survey of the j^lantation
of Hassanamisco, and find out and stake the centre
plot of the plantation,” were Captain Brigham, of
Marlboro’, John Hunt, of Concord, and Rich-
ard Taylor, of Sudbury. Jan. 16, 1734, it was
voted that Col. John Chandler, of Concord, and
Jonathan Rice, of Sudbury, should be “ a committee
to make Hassanamisco a town.”
In the work of securing church privileges and a
meeting-house for the inhabitants of the west side of
Sudbury, at the place called Rocky Plain, the indica-
tions are that the Northwest District had an important
influence. After the first petition sent to the General
78
MAYNARD.
Court, which petition has been noticed and given, a
committee was appointed at a town-meeting to pro-
test against the west side petition. After hearing
both the petition and remonstrance, the committee
returned a report. May 13, 1708, which was in sub-
stance that they considered “ the thing was necessary
to be done, but their opinion is that now, by reason
of the [grievous] times, not so convenient.”
But the petitioners were not to be baffled by an
answer like this. Accordingly, again they presented
their case by another jjetition, dated May 26, 1708-9.
This second petition sets forth the case thus:
The Iliiinble Petition of Several of the Inhabitaute of the town of Sud-
bury, on the west side of the Kiver.
“To Court session assembled Jlay 26*^ lT(%ehoweth that your Petition-
ers lately by their Petition to the Great and General Assembly, repre-
sented the hardships & Bitilculties they Labored when by reason of their
distance from the meeting house and the difficulty of getting over the
water and Some times Impossibility, there being three hundred and
sixty hve on that side amf sometimes in the winter not one of them can
possibly go to meeting, the East and West sides are Equal in their pay-
nuMits to the minister and therefore praying they might be made a Pre-
cinct and have a meeting house and minister of their side of the River,
wheieupon the petition was referred to a committee who upon Oonsider-
tion of the premises (as your petitioners are Informed) have made a
Report to this Great and General assembly that the thing was necessary
to bo done, but their opinion is that now by reason of Troublesome
'Times not so Convenient.
•‘Your[Petitioner8] thereupon humbl}’ pray that this great and General
assembly would please to Grant them the Prayer of their Petition, that
they may be Empowered to build a meeting house and have a minister
settled on their side, in such time as to this Great and General Assem-
bly shall seem meet and Yo' Petitioners (and as in duty bound) shall
pray, John Brigham, John Balcom, In behalf of ye rest.”
The parties whose names are signed to this iietition
are, we infer, men from the northwest part of the town,
and the fact that they thus head the list of persistent
petitioners, leaves room for the fair conjecture that it
was from this territory to a large extent, that a very
strong influence went forth for the formation of the
West Precinct of Sudbury.
The early inhabitants of the Maynard territory de-
j)ended for a livelihood largely upon the products of
the soil, for which the country was fairly suited. On
the Sudbury side were extensive woodlands upon
which some of the heaviest timber in the State has
been produced. On the Stow side were good farming
lands, and the land in the neighborhood of Pompas-
siticutt Hill was good for pasturage and tillage. But,
!ia in every community where pasturage and tillage
is depended upon, there was need of industry and
economy. These traits prevailed. The families in
early times were large, and as each household
gathered about the kitchen hearth they made almost
a little community of themselves. When a neighbor-
hood gathering was needed for the transaction of
business, a favorite place was the inn, and at the old
Rice Tavern public business has doubtless many
times been planned and discussed. Along the early
years of the eighteenth century, meetings were held
there relative to the adjustment of land matters, as
indicated by the following ;
“We tbe Subscribers aud present owners of tbe New Grant lots in
Sudbury, and as we think and imagine, Projirielors of the two miles of
land late granted to Sudbury by the General Court, called the New
Grants, wo humbly petition your honors to grant us a legal meeting as
the law directs, to be at the House of Jonathan Rice, in Miid Sudbury,
inholder. To do or act what may la? lawful and needful when met in
order to defend said grunt of two miles, and every other legal act as
Proprietors,
“ John Clap,
Jamk-s Haynes,
“ Kpiikiam Pratt.
“John Bai.com,
“ Thomas Smith,
“Jonathan Rice,
“ Amos Smith,
“ Joseph Bolcom,
and sixteen others."
For years after the settlement of the district there
was no commercial centre ; but in jjrocess of time the
water-power of the Assabet River began to be used
for manufiicturing purposes, and a hamlet or village
was commenced.
About 1821 or 1822 a part of the water-power
formerly used by the Jewell Itlills was emj)loyed by
James and William Rice for the manufacture of
spindles aud other kinds of factory machinery for the
Smith Mills, at Peterborough, N. II., and the fac-
tories at Waltham, Mass.
Near Jewell’s Mills, over the river, a saw-mill'once
stood ; and on a brook by the Daniel Puffer house
was another saw-mill, which mill was connected with
the farm. This mill, because of the small water-
power, ran very slowly, so the people used to start
the machinery and then go to other work, and when
the saw had run its course it would stop of itself.
In 1845 the water-power that up to 1822 had been
used for the grain mill, and which had also been
used for the manufacture of machinery, was sold to
Ainory Maynard and William H. Knight, who was
formerly connected with the Saxonville h'actory. In
July, 1846, the Assabet Mill Works were commenced.
The dam was built and a canal dug, turning the water
from the original channel into a reservoir. The dam
was completed, a building erected, and work begun
on the mill by the spring of 1847 ; and carpets and
carpet yarn to the value of 0,000 were made the
first year. On September 10, 18G2, the “Assabet
Manufacturing Company” was formed, with T. A.
Goddard, president, and T. Quincy Browne, treasurer.
From the very commencement of the matiufacture
of woolen fabrics in Maynard the business has proved
a success. As it has developed, new buildings have
been erected, until they now cover not far from two
acres of ground; are four, five and six stories in
height, and have a floorage of nearly ten acres. From
six to seven millions of bricks were required in their
construction. There are water-wheelshaving a united
capacity of 800 horse-power, and four powerful en-
gines with a total capacity of 700 horse-power. The
average consumption of coal for steam purposes is,
in round numbers, 500 tons a month, or 6000 tons a
year. The consumption of wool in the grease is
15,000 pounds per day or 2347 tons a year. The num-
MAYNARD.
79
ber of employees has increased from one in 1846 to
one thousand, one-fourth of whom are females. One-
eighth of the whole numher of employees are under
sixteen years of age. Improvements in machinery
have from time to time been made, resulting in a
marked increase in the productions of the mills or a
reduction in the numher of employees. There are
now sixty-five sets of woolen machinery, embracing
three hundred and thirty fancy broad looms. The
value of the mill property, which in 1847 and 1848
amounted to S^ISO.OOO lias increased to $1,500,000.
From 1777 to 1800, Abijah Brigham had a black-
smith’s shop in the easterly part of the district ; and
nearly a century ago a tavern was kept at the Levi
Smith place. One of the first establishments for the
storage of ice was in the Maynard territory. The
business was carried on by Nathaniel Wyeth. It was
established about 1850, and modern machinery was
used in the work. At one time there were two cider
and vinegar manufactories, but this business has
nearly ceased in the town of Maynard. A paper-
mill was erected in the Maynard territory about 1820,
by William May, for the manufacture of paper by
hand. The mill subsequently passed into possession
of John Sawyer, of Boston ; later, it became the prop-
erty of William Parker, and more recently, of his son,
William T. Parker. These paper-mills have several
times been destroyed by fire. They are at the present
time unemployed and owned by Hemenway & May-
nard. #
Congregational Church. — September 23, 1852,
an Orthodox Congregational Church was organized,
and called the “ Evangelical Union Church.’’ The
following are the names of original members : Amory
Maynard, Mrs. Amory Maynard, Haman Smith, ]\Irs.
Haman Smith, Silas Newton, Mrs. Silas Newton,
Henry Wilder, Mrs. Henry Wilder, Sybil Smith and
Lydia Stone.
A meeting-house was erected in 1853, which in 1865
was enlarged.
The following are the names of those who have
served as pastors with the date of service.
Mr. George W. tVost, stated supply, May, 1852, to May, 1854 ; Rev.
J. K. Deering, acting pastor, May, 1854, to May, 1850 ; Rev. A. Morton,
installed May, 1856, dismissed May, 1859; Rev. E. P. Tenney, acting
pastor, August, 1859, to December, 1860 ; Rev.F. Wallace, acting jiastor,
December, 1860, to February, 1802 ; Rev. A. 11. Fletcher, acting pastor,
June, 186*2, to January, 1804; Rev. Thomas Allender, acting pastor,
March, 1864, to April, 1806; Rev. 0. Hall, acting pastor, April, 186G,
to June, 1867 ; Rev. T. D. P. Stone, installed October, 1867, dismissed
June, |1870; Rev. Webster Hazlewood, acting pa.stor, August, 1870, to
July, 1872; Rev. Edward S. Huntress, acting pastor, December, 1872,
to March, 1874; Rev. P. B. Sbeire, acting pastor, September, 1874, to
April, 1876 ; Rev. S. S. Mathews, acting pastor, May 1, 1876 ; Rev. C. E.
Milliken, January 1, 1879, to July 1, 1882; Rev. Edwin Smith, Sep-
tember 15, 1882, to August 1, 1886 ; Rev. David H. Brewer, October 15,
1886, to present time.
A Sunday-school was organized in 1851, with about
thirty scholars. A. Maynard was its first superin-
tendent. The following are the names of persons
who have served as deacons :
Amory Maynard, chosen 185J ; Lorenzo Maynard, 1862; Joseph
Adams, 1866 ; Charles B. Stewart, 1868 ; Isaac Stott, 1871 ; William 11.
Gutteridge, 1877 ; Ezra S. Tarbell, 1888.
Methodist Church.— February 2, 1867, a meet-
ing was held in the Nason Street School-house, at
which a committee was appointed to solicit subscrip-
tions for the support of public worship after the forms
and order of the Methodist Church.
A liberal response was made to the call, and meas-
ures were taken which resulted in occasional preach-
ing in the school-house by neighboring Methodist
ministers.
A committee was appointed the following March
to lease Union Hall for the ensuing year, and June
22d a Methodist Church was organized, consisting of
seven members.
In 1870 Union Hall was purchased, and Sabbath
services have been held there since. The society has
been somewhat feeble and small, but has held on in
spite of its small means of support. The following
are the names of those who have served as pastors :
J. A. De Forest, L. P. Frost, John S. Day, M. A.
Evans, A. Baylies, A. C. Godfrey, G. R. Best, G. W.
Clark, B. Bigelow, W. Wignall, C. A. Merrell.
Roman Catholic Church. — There is in Maynard
a Roman Catholic Church called St. Bridget’s, whi(^
is connected with quite an extensive parish, and has
a fine house of worship.
Steps which resulted in the formation of this church
were instituted not long after the place began to de-
velop as a considerable factory village. For a time
the Roman Catholic element in the town was admin-
istered to by Reverends Maguire and Farrell, of
Marlboro’. A little later Rev. John Coulon, then a
resident of and pastor of the church in Marlboro’,
commenced service among the Catholic population
of Maynard ; and by his eftbrt a chapel was built
there in 1864. He was succeeded by Rev. O’Reily,
whose service continued from January, 1871, to
March, 1872, when Rev. Brozuahau became his suc-
cessor, and resided in the town from JIarch, 1872,
till March, 1873, at which time he moved to Con-
cord, and St. Bridget’s became an outlying mission
of this latter place. Rev. Brozuahau having charge
of both parishes until January, 1877. The present
pastor is Rev. M. J. McCall, in connection with
whose services the present church edifice was built.
Work on the structure began as early as 1881, and
was rapidly carried forward. It was dedicated in
1884 by Archbishop John J. Williams, of Boston.
The building is quite large and commodious, and
at the time of its completion was considered one of
the finest church edifices in the vicinity, and is at
the present time the largest public building in May-
nard.
The territory of Maynard was set off, and by in-
corporation became a new town April 19, 1871. It
was named in honor of Amory Maynard, formerly
of Marlboro’, through whose energy and business ac-
80
MAYNARD.
tivity the town has developed. The town of Stow
made no special objection to giving up a part of
the territory belonging to it for the formation of
a new town, and an agreement was made by which
Maynard was to pay into the treasury of Stow the
sum of fGOOO as a compensation.
The town of Sudbury opposed the separation, and,
January 23, 1871, ai>j)ointed a committee of three to
nominate a committee, of three to oppose any peti-
tion to the General Court to set off any part of the
territory of Sudbury. Deacon Thomas Hurlbut,
Charles Thompson, Esq., and .Tames ISIoore, Esq.,
were nominated. The town accepted the nomina-
tion and authorized the committee to use all hon-
orable means to jirevent the formation of a new
town, including any part of the territory of the
town of Sudbury. _
The committee chosen Jan. 23, 1871, to oppose the in-
corporation of any portion of the territory of Sudbury
into a new town, reported April 7, 1872, that previous
to any hearing before the committee of the Legisla-
ture on the petition of Henry Fowler and others for
an act incorporating the town of Maynard, certain
propositions were made by the jretitioners as terms of
separation and settlement between the town of Sud-
bury and the proposed new town. These propositions
having been laid before tlie town of Sudbury, Feb.
20, 1872, the committee were given discretionary
power, provided they accept of no terms less advan-
tageous to the town of Sudbury than those contained
in the agreement. By mutual consent a bill was
agreed upon and jnissed by the Legislature, by wliich
the town of IMaynard was incorporated.
Subsequently, the committee were authorized to
settle with the authorities of the town of Maynard,
according to the provisions of their charter. They
reported that they had attended to that duty, also
that the proportion of the town debt, together with
the money to be paid by the town of Maynard to the
towm of Sudbury, or Maynard’s share of the stock in
the Framingham & Lowell Railroad Corporation,
owned by the town of Sudbury, with interest on the
same, amounted to !?20, 883.28, which sum was paid
by them to the treasurer of the town of Sudbury.
Oct. 6, 1871, they say “they have also attended to
establishing the line between the said towns, and
erected a stone monument at the angle in said line
near the iron works caus('way, which will also answer
:is a guide-board, and will be kept in repair by the
town of Sudbury ; that they have akso erected a stone
monument marked S. and M., at such places as said
line crosses the highway.”
For years before the territory of Maynard became
an independent town, there were strong reasons why
it should become such. The people of Assabet Vil-
lage and its near neighborhood made up a population
nearly twice as large as that of either Sudbury or
Stow', considered apart from this locality. It was
quite a distance to the town-houses of Sudbury and
Stow, and there was no speedy means of conveyance
to either place on the day of town-meeting.
The journey on election days was to be made over
the rough country roads of these towns, and usually
at such seasons as brought them into a jtoor condi-
tion.
For about five hundred men to make a journey of
miles to a polling-place w’hich was several miles dis-
tant, when a large portion of this company were living
within about a half mile of each other, was more than
could reasonably be e.xpccted. A polling-place near
by would allow them to attend to town business with-
out much interference with their regular avocation,
and save expense of travel.
Moreover, there was but a small community of in-
terests between the people of the .\ssabet District and
those of the other parts of the two towns. The one
element was given to agriculture, the other to manu-
factures. The one element was scattered, the other
concentrated. Assabet Village required street lights
and sidew'P.lks, a local i)olice, and special school
privileges. They needed town regulations adapted to
their population and business.
The reasons against division were small, as these re-
lated either to the Assabet territory or to the towns to
which it belonged. The strip of territory asked for
would impoverish neither Sudbury nor Stow. It was
well situated for the proposed division, and that the
territory risked for had resources amply sufficient to
warrant the proposed new'towTi’s easy sujiport may be
indicated by the following “ table of aggregates for
the town of Maynard as assessed May 1, 1871 : ”
Total mmiber of Polls 622
Tax on I'olls $l,04r.U0
Value of Personal Kslate 285,790.00
“ of Real Estate 710, 210.00
Valuation 1,002,000.00
Tax for State, County anil Town purposes, includ-
ing Highway Tax 11,392.84
Total number of dwelling bouses 321
Land Taxes • . . 3,015 acres
With such circumstances to favor it, it was only a
matter of time when a separate town would be made
of the territory ; and that the time had come when the
effort for it was made may be indicated by the success
of the movement.
The town a^ipropriately celebrated the event of its
incorporation, and an oration w'as delivered by Gen.
John L. Swift.
In 1872 the following bill was reported to the town
of expense incurred :
INCORPORATION AND CELEBRATION EXPENSES.
Paid G. A. Sonierby S200.00
John Spalding 200.00
J. B. Smith, collation 96.00
Bill for engraving map of town 40.00
Fitchburg Railroad, extra train 75.00
f). 0. Oflborn, for printing 4.00
Team to Sudbury and Stow 3.00
Town Glerk of Stow, for copy of warrant 50
Railroad tickets 13.50
Printing • 1-50
Badges and expenses 2.65
81
MAYNARD.
Fireworks
Use of cannon, etc
W. F. Woods, for entertaining bands
Use of flags and telegraphing . . .
B. Smith, transporting cannon . . .
Three kegs powder
Surveying proposed town lines . .
J. K. Harriman, for labor
J. Valley, for team to Concord . . -
Joseph W. Reed, for bills paid . . .
As the new town started forth on its first year of
independence, the indications are that it made gene-
rous appropriations, and evinced a courage which
gave promise of success. The following is its pub-
lished “assessments for 1871 : ”
For Support of Schools 82,iK)0.00
Repairs of Highways ■ 1,00(1.(10
Incideutal expenses 4,0(XI.OO
Alterations and Repairs of School-houses 2,000.00
State Tax payable to Siidhury 948.75
“ “ “ Stow . . . • • 525,00
County Tax payable to Sudbury 386,25
“ “ “ Stow 213,73
34.13
32.65
30.00
10.00
6.00
13.50
12.50
5.00
4.00
34.40
*818.33
Overlayings
*11,073.73
319,11
Total
*11,392.84
A disadvantage which the new town met with was
its small and defective school accommodations. The
following from reports made to the town by the com-
mittee for the years 1872 and 1873 may indicate the
condition of things. In the report for the former
year the committee state :
“The High Schooe. — At the commencement of
last term, when Ihe new rooms in the Acton Street
School were finished, we determined to open a special
school therein, requiring an examination for admis-
sion, with the hope of ultimately forming it into a high ;
school. We admitted, on examination, thirty-five j
pupils, and obtained as teacher ]\Ir. Theodore C.
Gleason, of Westboro’, a recent graduate of Harvard
College. Mr. Gleason had had three months’ exper-
ience as a teacher in Bolton. He devoted himself
heartily to the w’ork of our school, and the scholars
were generally very much improved by his instruction
—especially in reading and in grammar — two things
in which they had been previously sadly deficient.
The examination of his school, although far from
being w'hat we could wish, fully convinced us that a
good work had been done. At the annual town-meet-
ing in March we brought the matter before the town,
and with great unanimity they voted to authorize the
committee to establish a high school, and granted an
extra appropriation for that purpose. We feel sure
that the people will not have cause to regret the
measure, but that they will feel abundantly repaid by
the higher tone of intelligence which a high school
w'ill, in time, give to the community.
“School Accommodations. — We are inclined to |
include under this head the accommodations both of |
teachers and scholars, and we regret to say that in j
both we are lamentably deficient. 1
“ We would not say, as a well-known clergyman .said,
at one of our examinations, ‘ this is the worst town in
the Commonwealth for a teacher to come to,’ both
because it is not true, and because we would not
lightly give our town such a poor recommendation.
We could name many towns in the Commonwealth
which are worse than ours, worse in matter of salary,
worse in accommodations, worse in the treatment they
receive. But our town is bad enough, we confess.
We are surprised that it is so difficult to find proper
boarding-places for our teachers. In most towns some
of the first families are open to receive the tciachers,
but in our town, which Mr. Elias Nason would have
to be ‘ the model town,’ a teacher can scarcely find
shelter for the night; and one of our teachers has not
succeeded to this day in finding a place, but is com-
pelled to travel twenty-five miles every evening to
pass the night in Cambridge. We hope in some way
to see this remedied.
“ Our school-houses are beginning to be too small
again, notwithstanding the enlargement of last year.
Our high school-room will doubtless next term be full,
our grammar school is full already, and all our pri-
mary schools are a great deal more than full. When
it is remembered that last term we opened two new
schools, and that the increase of school attendance is
likely to be greater this year than it was last year, it
will be readily seen how much we are likely to be
troubled for want of room. We shall be obliged to
engage one, at least, and perhaps two extra teachers
at the beginning of next term ; and we have no room
to put them in except a small recitation room.
“ Before the close of another year we shall probably
require all the rooms in both the centre school-houses
for the classes of the primary schools ; and then the
grammar and high schools will be set afloat. What
we evidently require is a building of commodious ar-
rangement, situated as nearly as it conveniently can
be in the centre of the town, in a healthy location,
and sufficient in size and in the number of its rooms
to meet the demands of our growing population, for
the use of the grammar and high schools. We hope
the people will consider this matter, for it is of the
highest importance and will soon demand attention.”
Cost of Instruction for the Ye.mi Enmno M.tHCH 34, 1872.
High School, for each pupil, *15.43, *180.00
Main Street Grammar, for each pupil, *9.63 366.00
Main Street Primary, for each pupil, *5.70 342.00
Acton Street Primary, for each pupil, $5.14 342.00
Turnpike School, for each pupil, *15.43 324.00
Brick School, for each pupil, *6.11 . ■ 216.00
Total paid for tuition during the year *1770.00
For fuel and incidental expenses, 230.00
Average cost of tuition per scholar, in all the schools,
for the year, .... 6.12
In the report of the committee for 1873 they state
thus: “ The law of the State declares that no more
than fifty pupils shall be placed in charge of one
teacher. We have been constantly compelled to
break this law by giving one teacher charge of sixty.
82
IMAYNART).
seveuty and even seventy-five pupils. Three of our
schools have now sixty or sixty-five pupils each —
fifteen more than the number allowed by law, and the
difficulties in this respect are constantly increasing.
“ The committee have now no remedy, for our school-
rooms are all crowded, the last available room having
been recently fitted up for a small class of twenty-five
— being all that could be crowded into it. It is be-
coming more and more apparent that we must soon
have a new building. We would not urge such an
expensive matter upon the town one moment sooner
than we think it becomes absolutely necessary, but it
will not do to ignore the fact that, at the beginning
of next term, or next fall, at the farthest, we shall
doubtless be obliged to form another school, and shall
have no place in which to put it, except by the costly
arrangement of hiring and furnishing some public or
private hall.
“Perhaps the most difficult problem to be solved, in
relation to our schools, is what shall we do with the
“Factory Scholah.s? who throng the schools at the
commencement of every term, barely remain the full
twelve weeks required by law, and then, as they have
just begun to know their duties as scholars, and to
make some progress in knowledge and behavior, they
are taken away and their places are filled by another
fresh company, to require of the teacher the same
hard task of smoothing, polishing and civilizing as
before. It is easy to see how injurious this must be,
wbat an obstacle to the success of any scheme for im-
provement. This is particularly noticeable in the
Grammar school. From carefully prepared statistics
of this school, we find that it has had 133 regularly
acknowledged pupils, actually belonging to it during
the whole year, whereas, the largest number who have
attended at any one time was sixty-four, — less than
one-half. Of these 133 pupils, there are only nine-
teen who have attended more than twenty-four weeks;
only nineteen in addition have attended more than
twelve weeks, and there are ninety-five of them who
have attended only twelve weeks, or less. No one can
appreciate the difficulties of making any real, thorough
progress in that school, without considering these
facts, and whoever will carefully consider them will
be inclined to wonder how the school can make any
progress at alt.
“ The High and the Primary schools, also, suffer from
the same cause. It would seem that it ought not to
be so in the Primary schools, which are calculated
only for three years of the child’s life, but, it is aston-
ishing how eagerly parents press their young and
tender children into the service of the factory ; they
give the agents and overseers no rest until they admit
them, and then they are in for life. We cannot think
it absolutely necessary that these parents should
force their children into the hard struggle of the
world so very young.
“ By the kind co-operation of the factory agents and
overseers, we have been enabled to inaugurate a
system of certificates, whereby we can perform our
duty, in seeing that all children, between twelve and
fifteen years of age, attend school, at least, the twelve
weeks required by law. But, the law still further
requires that all those between ten and twelve years
shall attend at least, eighteen weeks, and that those
under ten shall not be employed in the factory at all.
We hope, with the same kind assistance, to be able to
extend our arrangements so as to include these latter
cases, and thus obey all the law, as all good citizens
ought. At that age they will generally have se-
cured a Primary school education, and Christian char-
ity should dictate that they have so much, at least, to
fit them for the struggle for life.
“These considerations should impress upon us, more
and more, the importance of more perfectly sys-
temizing and improving our Primary schools,
since they are the only ones, the benefits of which,
there is any hope that a large class of the children of
our town will ever reap.”
As the years advanced improvements in the schools
went forward, and at the present time Maynard has
very good schools, consisting of the usual grades
from the High School to the I’rimary Department.
The total school expenditures for 1889 were $6270.42.
An evening school has recently been established,
which has been well attended, having at the outset
nearly one hundred scholars. This is an important
institution for a manufacturing community like that
of Maynard.
The amount paid in teachers’ wages for the year
1890 was $4820.20. This was distributed among
twelve teachers. The principal of the High School
receives a salary of $1000 per annum ; the highest
paid to others is a little less than half this sum.
Public Library'. — There is in Maynard a Public
Library containing 3120 volumes, the most of which
are in good condition. In 1889 the sum of $300 was
appropriated for its support, and $559.07 were ex-
pended for it; the excess in expenditure being made
up of the dog-tax, fines and a balance of the previous
year. The place has two hotels, various stores and
the usual accompaniments of a thriving manufactur-
ing village of New England. The population is
about 3000. It is mostly made up of Irish, English
and Scotch, the American element being in a minority.
The thrift of the town is largely dependent upon
the prosperity of the Assabet Manufacturing Com-
pany. A large share of the houses are the property
of it, and occupied by its employees. Many of the
homes, however, are owned by the industrious, eco-
nomical inhabitants, who, from their daily earnings,
have in proce.ss of time laid by sufficient to pur-
chase for themselves a home. The prosperity of the
place since it was set apart as a town has been grad-
ually progressive, and improvements for the public
good have from time to time been made. The popu-
lation is nearly a third more than it was twenty years
ago.
MAYNARD.
83
In 1888 there were registered in town fifty deaths,
seventy-eight births and thirty marriages. Of those
who died, eight were at the time of death seventy years
old or upwards, the oldest being seventy-eight, while
ten were less than ten years of age.
Cemeteries. — The town has a well-kept cemetery,
called Glenwood Cemetery. It is situated at the
junction of the Acton and Fitchburg highways. The
first burial was of the body of Thomas H. Brooks in
1871, in which year the ground was laid out. At var-
ious times the place has been beautified by the plant-
ing of trees and shubbery.
Adjoining the cemetery, at the northerly corner, is
a substantial tomb owned by A. Maynard. It is situ-
ated upon a piece of land of about one-half acre in
extent, which is surrounded with an iron fence.
A little easterly of the town’s cemetery is the Cath-
olic burying-ground. It is situated on the Fitchburg
highway, and contains many substantial monuments
and stones.
The Marlboro’ Branch of the Fitchburg Railroad
passes through the town, and atfords good facilities
for travelling and the conveyance of freight.
In Maynard are the following organizations: Ma-
sonic Lodge, Good Templars’ Lodge, Grand Army
Post, I. O. O. F. American, I. O. O. F. Manchester
Unity, Royal Society of Good Fellows, Iron Hall,
Royal Arcanum, and Royal Arc.
Biographical. — Amory Maynard, from whom the
town took its name, was a son of Isaac and Lydia
(Howe) Maynard, and was born in the northeasterly
part of Marlboro’ Feb. 28, 1804. The education which
he obtained in the public schools was quite limited,
he having ceased attendance upon them at the age of
fourteen.
For a time in early life he worked on his father’s
farm, but was more largely occupied in his saw-mill,
which was situated on a stream that it is said forms
the channel of that basin of water known as Fort
Meadow, in Marlboro’, at a point where the road from
Rockbottom to said town crosses the stream.”
When Amory was sixteen years old bis father died,
and the son took charge of the property. Instead of
selling the saw-mill, he did that which, perhaps, few
lads of his years would have undertaken, or could
have so successfully carried out, wdiich was to take
the responsibility of conducting the business alone.
This he did in a way to do credit to an older and
more experienced person. So successfully did he
manage the property that it increased in value, and
the business gradually developed. For about a quar-
ter of a century he carried on the lumber business con-
nected with the mill. During this period he became
widely known as a builder. He erected various houses
in the neighboring towns, and at one time employed !
over fifty workmen. |
Under his supervision were erected the New Eng- i
land Carpet-Mills.
In 1846 an act was passed by the Legislature
authorizing the city of Boston to take water from
Long Pond in Wayland and Natick, and the act con-
ferred the right to construct a dam at the outlet. This
action prevented the further use of the waters of Long
Pond as an unlimited or unobstructed mill-power at
the carpet fiictories of Saxonville, in the town of
Framingham, and work at these places ceased. Mr.
W. H. Knight, the owner, conveyed by deed to the
city of Boston all his right and title to Long and Dug
Ponds, and the land about them, which he had pur-
chased of the Framingham Manufacturing Company,
and others, which consisted, besides the water privi-
lege and several dwelling-houses, of three factory
buildings, all which property amounted to $150,000.
Two of the factories were burned March 20, 1847.
A joint partnership was then formed between W.
H. Knight and Amory Maynard for carrying on the
carpet business at what is now Maynard. The com-
pany was formed in 1846, and the same year Mr.
Maynard went to reside in the place, and occupied
the dwelling-house of Asa Smith. A factory was
soon erected, which was one hundred feet long by
fifty feet wide, and supplied with machinery for the
manufacture of carpets and carpet yarn. Success
attended the new partnership, and by the vigilance and
thrift of such ownership, the business increased and
became firmly established.
In 1861 and 1862 the first brick factory was
erected, and there was commenced at the same time
the manufacture of flannel blankets of about fifty
kinds. From that time the business has steadily
developed.
When Mr. Maynard went to the Assabet territory
there were but few houses in the locality, among
which were those of Wm. Smith, Benjamin Smith,
j Abram Smith, Dexter Smith, Aaron Thompson, Wm.
Parker, Paul Litchfield, Ephraim Randall, Silas
I Brooks and Isaac Maynard. About the time of his
I arrival in the place as a permanant resident he began
to purchase land, and from time to time added to
his purchases until he became the owner of several
hundred acres. For twenty years Mr. Maynard lived
on Main Street, in a house opposite the main entrance
to the factory. His last residence was at the home-
stead on the hill, to which he moved in 1873. Such
is the business career of this prominent manu-
facturer.
The simple story is that the business commenced
by Knight & Maynard in 1846, on the quiet banks of
the Assabet River has in less than a half century
developed from a property value of $150,000 to a
corporation holding property to the amount of $1,500,
000. As a result of this enterprise there has arisen a
new town with thrifty commercial, social and moral
influence, and affording the means of a livelihood
to hundreds of people. A few years ago the follow-
ing statement of Mr. Amory Maynard was pub-
lished in the Boston Herald :
“Among the guests who registered at Thayer’s hotel, Littleton, N. H.,
MAYNARD.
«4
SatHiclay afternoon, ia the nunie of Ainory Maynard, Ksq., tlie
widely known agent of the Aasabot woolen mills at Maynard. The
only pecxiliar fact connected witli this gentleman is that the vacation he
is now enjoying is the second one only that ho has taken for over half a
century, his first and only other one being spent in this same vicinity,
the second week in August, 1822, wlien he drove in a wagon, alone, from
his native town of Marlboro' the distance being some two hundred
miles, and the time consumed in the journey being tour days. At the
time Mr. Maynard was eighteen years of age. Since then he has estab-
lished the largest strictly woolen mill in the country. Nearly all of his
time has been spent in travelling in the capacity of purchasing agent
and salesman.'*
Mr. Maynard was not so absorbed in his mercantile
business as to be unmindfu! of matters of a moral and
religious concern. He and bis wife were original
members of the Evangelical Union Church of Aiay-
nard, and gave liberally for its support. Mr. Maynard
died at his home March 5,1890. He retained full
possession of his faculties until his eightieth year,
when he became enfeebled by a stroke of paralysis,
from which he never wholly recovered. His death
was the result of an accident which occurred a short
time before his death, when he was found in an un-
conscious condition at the foot of a stairway. Being
left for a short time by himself, it is supposed that he
attempted to go up-stairs, when his limbs failed him
and he fell. The funeral took place March 8th, and
the following description of the event was published
in the Boston Herald of that date :
MAYNARD IN MOURNING.
**Ptineral of Its Founder and Most IVominent Citizen.
“ M.wnard, March 8, 1800. Tliis thriving village bail to-day worn a
funeral aspect, and well it might, for all that is mortal of Amory May-
nar<l, the founder of the town, as well as its; most ronspicuou.s local fig-
ure for a long period of veal's, has been consigned to mother earth.
Everywhere about the town emblems of mourning have been noticed.
In fact, the praises of Amory IMaynard are in every one’s mouth, and
nowhere were more evidences of esteem shown than among the hun-
eiivils of operatives who have for many yeai'S had reason to regard this
venerable and worthy citizen as their fri«*nd. The mills of the Aasahet
>Ianufacturing Company, which were started by Mr. Maynard, and
at the head of wiiich concern he had so long been placed, were closed
during the afternoon. .\11 the places of business wore a Sabbath as-
pect from 1 till 4 o’clock, out of tlie respect entertained for the de-
ceased. The i»rivatG service occurred at the family residence on Beech-
mont, where prayei's were offered. In the Congregational Church,
with which Amory Maynard had been identified ever since its organiza-
tion, the public funeral services occurred, and the structure was filled
to overtlowing. .\inong those who came to offer the last tribute to
their friend's memory were a great many of the emploj’es of the
mills. \s the funeral procession entered the church, Jlev. David H.
Brewer, the Congregationalist pastor of IMaynard, read passages of
scripture. In his remarks he traced the career of this remarkable
man from the time when he started, a poor boy, in the neighboring
town of Marlboro', until he had obtained that degree of success in a
business way which had enabled him to found one of the leading
towns of this commonwealth. The singing was by a selected quartet^
composed of local talent. The-closing selection was * God be w'ith us
till we meet again.* ’*
01(1 business associates from New York, Boston
and other localities were present at the funeral
services. The remains were taken for their last rest-
ing-place to the beautiful family tomb .at Glenwood,
whicb Mr. Afaynard constructed years ago.
Natural Features. — The scenery of Maynard is
beautiful, and perhaps unsurpassed in this part of the
State. It has a good variety of objects, each of which
adds a charm to the diversified surface, and con-
tributes sometbing to the beauty of the landscape.
There are the streams, hills, forests and dales ; while
here and there the little brooklets sparkle and flash
as they speed on their way.
Green pastures stretch out in acres of luxuriant
grass, verging in some places to the broad, smiling
meadow-lands, and in others reaching up the hill
slopes to the very top. Upon these fields herds of
cattle find bountiful feed, and by them the town is
supplied with rich dairy products. About 100,000
cans of milk have been raised in Maynard in a single
year. A large share of this is consumed in the place ;
but within a few years as many as 40,000 cans have
been sent to the Boston market. Not only is the
country suited for grazing, but for farming purposes
in general.
The near proximity of a centr.al village, whose
population is so given to mill interests, affords oppor-
tunity for the market gardener to vend his produce
to ready and substantial customers, and furnishes, on
the other band, safe patrons to the Maynard shop-
keepers for the disposal of their dry-goods and groce-
ries. Maynard h.as thus become a small commercial
community of itself, dependent to an extent upon its
own resources for thrift ; and combines in an excel-
lent measure those substantial elements that make up
the thriving manufacturing town of New England.
The Assabet River. — A prominent feature of the
town’s scenery is the Assabet River, which takes a
winding course through the territory. It enters May-
nard by the Dr. Wood’s Bridge, and passes along
what may be termed the smaller Pompositticut Hill
to the mill dam. At this point its waters are turned
from their original course into an artificial channel,
and conducted to the mill pond, where they afford
power for the factories.
The pond helps make a fine village scenery. Like
a little lake in a park, it is alike for the benefit of rich
and poor, as they gaze on its surface on a hot summer
day, or watch it sparkle and Hash in the sun’s rays in
the early spring or late fall.
In winter it is a place of amusement for the many
merry school children as they skim over its frozen
surface with skate or sled. Beyond the factories, the
waters speed on their unrestrained course to the now
unused paper-mill, and from thence pass on to be
again turned for a mill purpo.«e.
Perhaps few streams of its size have in so short a dis-
tance furnished jiower for purposes more dissimilar in
character than this. Near its entrance to the town it
turns aside for the manufacture of cloth ; and by the
aid of the highly-improved machinery of the “Assa-
bet Manufacturing Company ” and the skilled work-
men who use it, some of the best woolen fabrics of
America are produced. A little easterly it once
moved the machinery of a jiaper-mill, which at one
time furnished the material for one of the leading
daily newspapers of New England, while just beyond
MAYNARD.
8.1
its exit from the town it affords power for the manu-
facture of gunpowder.
POMPOSITTIC'UT Hill. — Another prominent fea-
ture of its scenery is Pompositticut Hill. This, like
the river along one of whose spurs it flows, is a well-
known landmark. As before noticed, it was a promi-
nent place of rendezvous for the Indians in the early
times, and it is to-day a favorite resort for lovers of
fine views, and much frecjiiented both by the towns-
people and others.
The hill is about 250 feet above the river, and situ-
ated westerly of the village. It is mainly used for
pasturage. On one portion are a few acres which have
a young wood growth, and scattered over other parts
are still standing a few specimens of the old “ pasture
oak,” which may have stood there when the place
was the “ town’s common land,” or when possessed by
‘‘ye ancient hereditary Indian proprietors.” .The
“Reservoir” is on the summit; and from this unt
extends a magnificent view, dotted by a great variety
of objects, and in some directions uninterrupted for
several scores of miles. To the northwestward are the
far-off hills of New Hampshire. Old “ Monadnock ”
towers upward with its massive rock-crowned summit
as a lone sentinel above its fellows.
In this State “ Watatic,” in Ashby, and “ Wachu-
set,” in Princeton, stand out as familiar hill-tops,
which are first to whiten with the early snows. To
the easterly are the hills of Wayland and Waltham,
prominent among which, in the latter place, is
“ Prospect Hill.” To the southerly, in Sudbury and
Framingham, is “ Nobscot.” The view of the inter-
mediate country is grand. It outstretches in places
like acres of vast intervale covered with herbage and
forest. Interspersed over the beautiful prospect are
villages, hamlets and fruitful farms, threading among
which are winding highways and streams.
Southwesterly is Marlboro', Westboro’ and South-
boro’ ; southeasterly, Sudbury Centre, South Sudbury
and Wayland; while Lincoln is near by on the east;
to the northeasterly is Concord ; and to the northerly
is Acton with its Davis monument, and various vil-
lages.
Nearer, and almost at the very hill’s foot, is the
smiling and busy vilbige of Maynard.
Prominent in the place is the tall factory chimney
and factory buildings, while about them are scattered
clusters of comfortable cottages and tenement-houses,
and upon the high land adjacent is the former resi-
dence of i\Ir. Amory Maynard, the chief founder of
the village, and his son, Lorenzo, the present agent
of the Assabet Mills. These latter residences, are
beautifully situated, surrounded by a grove of
beech, oak and maple trees, while upon the grounds
are a choice variety of shrubs and flower-bearing
plants.
Pompositticut Hill has the more gradual slope to
the north and west, and uj)on these sides are ex-
cellent orchard and plow-lands. On the south side
is a fertile valley and many broad acres of fine pas-
turage.
Beside the prominent landmarks now mentioned
there are le.sser objects of interest and beauty, and all
together give a pleasing variety, which makes May-
nard and the vicinity one attractive alike to the man
of business, to those seeking the retirement of a quiet
rural retreat, and to the farmer and transient trav-
eler.
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PART IV.
Wayland Town Hall and Library
APPENDIX
TO THE
ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
r
APPENDIX
TO
THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
INDIAN OCCUPATION.
Resides what has been stated in the historic narrative relating to Indian occupation of
the Wayland territory, we wonld further add that various things indicate that the land lying
along the Sndbuiy River was a favorite localitj^ for Indian homes and hunting grounds. The
river afforded an abundance and variety of fish at all seasons, and in the spring the Indians
took salmon with the spear and weir. The “Rocky Falls,” at Saxonville, contributed to
render the stream a fine fishing resort. The low lands in the vicinity, on account of the
dense thicket which wonld naturally cover them, wonld be likely to abound in game. Tlie
uplands were kept more or less free from underbrush by forest fires which were set in the
fall; but these fires did not penetrate the low, swampy places, so the game would tend to
resort to them for protection, and thus furnish a favorite hunting ground. The region was
adapted to afford subsistence to water-fowl, pigeons, wild turkeys and grouse, also to deer
and beaver; all of which game abounded.
In various parts of Wayland evidences of Indian occupation have been found, as the
collection of relics in the library, before referred to, will indicate. This collection, it may
be observed, is probably but a small part of what has been gathered from within the town
limits, as it is stated that many relics have been disposed of. Some of these specimens were
found near the “Rice Spring” and the farm of Deacon Johnson; some were found on the
Island and on the land easterly of Farm Bridge. Relics have also been found to some extent
about Bridle Point and the Old Town Bridge ; and on the Moore farm, adjoining the Abel
Gleason place, a spot is shown where an Indian wigwam stood. The homes of some of the
natives have been designated on pages 1, 66, and 67. It is said that Netus, in 1662, lived at
Nipnax Hill, about three miles north of the plantation of Natick. He was a large land owner,
and Mr. Corlett, an early school teacher of Cambridge, who instructed his son, is said to
have obtained leave of the General Court “to i)urchase of Netus, the Indian, so much land
as the said Netus is possessed of according to law ; ” and, by order of the Court, Edmund
Rice, Sr., and Thomas Noyes laid out to Mr. Corlett three hundred and twenty (320) acres
of his land.
The “ Indian Burying Ground,” which was in existence before the English occupation
of Sudbury, is indicative of Indian habitation about there, and perhaps of a cluster of wig-
wams in that vicinity. “Indian Bridge,” at West Brook (see p. 1), was early a familiar
landmark, and perhaps a notable Indian crossing. At Cochituate the Indians lived piobably
in large numbers, as it is supposed they had a village and a fort on tlie westeily side of the
‘pond. Mr. Temple, in his “History of Framingham,” quotes as follows from Mr. Joseph
Brown, who was born in that locality: “ I have been in the old Indian fort, which stood on
the highest point of the hill south of the outlet of Long Pond, a great many times. It used
88
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
to include about an acre and a half of land. A circular bank of earth with ditch outside, the
whole about four feet high, enclosed it ; and there was a raised mound in the centre, made, I
suppose, for a lookout. There were several cellar-holes — granaries — inside the bank. It
was woods all around, but this place was alwa3’s bare.”
Besides the Indians who were dwellers in the territory of Sudburv, doubtless there
were man^’ — especiall}' before tlie great pestilence — who were accustomed to traverse these
lands, drawn thither by the unusual facilities for hunting and fishing along the IMusk-
quetahquid.
“THE OLD INDIAN BURYING GROUND.”*
This is an elongated strip of land lying adjacent to the old North Buiying Ground on
the east, and extending several rods beyond it to the north and south. It consists of about
two acres, more or less, covered with a growth of pine and oak. Its northerly limit extends
bej’ond the northern brow of the hill to the lower part of the glen beyond. The southern
part is a narrow projection generally following the brow of the hill, skirting on the west the
land of Richard Lombard. This land, from the settlement of Sudburv, has been known by
tradition as the “ Old Indian Buiying Ground.” That it was used for burial purposes at a
very earl)" date is shown by the discovery of human remains that were buried there before
the memory of the oldest inhabitant, and the date of which has not been preserved. Nearly
three-quarters of a centuiy ago bones, which it is supposed belonged to several skeletons,
were exhumed by some workmen who were digging gravel for repairing the road at the cause-
way. They were found about four feet below the surface, by the bank on the westerl}- side
of the southern projection. The}’ were reinterred by order of Mr. James Draper, who, as one
of the selectmen, was called to view them. It is supposed they were the remains of Indians.
Nearly a quarter of a century later Mr. J. S. Draper discovered portions of a skeleton buried a
few feet northerly of those just referred to. These were supposed to be the remains of a white
person below middle life. Upon examination of the grave, pieces of decayed wood were
found with marks ujion them as of nails or screws, which indicated that the body was buried
in a coffin. About midway of the southern projection are three rude, flat stones. They are
placed in a horizontal position, and lie side by side. Two of them are long, as if marking
the grave of adults, and one is short as if for a child. It is supposed they mark the graves
of three of a family group who died about the lime of the settlement. Various depressions
here and there indicate that if the leaves were raked off, and the forest mold removed, a
rough and uneven surface might be revealed, which would still further strengthen the tradi-
tion that the wliole plot was at the time of Indian occupation a place of graves. It is also
considered probable that as the settlers for some years had no church, and consequently no
church-yard in which to bury their dead according to the English custom, in place of a better,
they made use of the burying ground of the Indians.
“CONNECTICUT PATH.”
An ancient landmark of Wayland is the “Old Connecticut Path.” The probable direc-
tion of this way lay along the present road from “Wayland and Weston Corner” to the
“Five Paths,” and from thence, northerly of Cochituate Pond, through Saxonville and South
Framingham, on to Connecticut. This path was originally an old Indian trail which the
natives followed in their journeyings to the Massachusetts Bay towns from Connecticut.
* By a mistake i)i the exact points of the compass, the writer has elsewhere made an error in the lay of the
land in this cemetery. The delineation here given has been verified by the compass.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
89
The English received information of it about 1630, from an expedition of Nipnet Indians
who lived at wliat is now Woodstock, Conn. These Nipnet natives, who were called the
Wabbaquassets, learning that the English living on the Massachusetts Bay shores were in
want of corn, and would purchase it at a good price, there being a scarcity of that crop?
carried heavy sacks of it to Boston. They probably followed a path which had long been
travelled, as it is said there were several Indian villages upon it. In 1633, four Englishmen,
among whom was John Oldham, of Watertown, took tliis trail to Connecticut in search of a
suitable spot for settlement. Other Watertown people went to Connecticut, without doubt,
by this same way; and the}' were followed, in 1635, by about sixty men, women, and chil-
dren, with their horses and cattle, who took this course to reach the Connecticut valley.
Some of this company fared hard ; on their return they lost their way, and must all have per-
ished but for supplies obtained of the Indians. In 1636, Rev. Mr. Hookei*, of Newton, and
a party of about a hundred, started on this path to go from Cambridge to Hartford. Tliey
took with them cattle, upon whose milk the company to a large extent subsisted, and slept
at night under the open sky. After a two weeks’ journey they arrived at their destination.
This path went northerly of the Charles River, through what is now Waltham Centre, to the
western boundary of Watertown (Weston and Wayland Corner), from which point it was
afterwards known as “ the road to the Dunster Farm,” which was situated east of Cochituate
Pond. It is mentioned in the Sudbury Records as a way in 1643; and it was probably form-
ally laid out and accepted as a town road in 1648, when, as the Records state, “ Edmund
Goodenow, John Bent and John Grout are appointed to lay out a way from Watertown
bound to the Dunster Farm.” About the time of the laying out of this road it is supposed
there was an extension of the Bridle Point road along the flat easterly of Sudbury Ri^er in
its course by the island (see p. 56). The existence of this rude forest trail in Sudbury terri-
tory is interesting, as it may have had considerable to do with the settlement of this town ;
for the lands along the Musquetaquid probably first became known to the English by travel-
lers along this path. It is also interesting as being an important thoroughfare of the Indians
who lived near Cochituate Pond, Rocky Falls (Saxonville), Washakamaug (South Framing-
ham), and Magunkook (Ashland). The first road the Sudbury settlers made was probably
the one that branched off from this path where it crossed the old Watertown boundary, and
went around over the Plain ; and since that time branch after branch has been made from
this old forest trail.
THE OLD BURYING GROUND.
This is the northernmost burying ground of the town, and situated cbout a quarter of a
mile from W^'ayland Centre on the road to Sudbury. It is a most interesting spot. Within it
were located the first three meeting houses of the township, and here from 1642-3 to near
the second quarter of the eighteenth century all that was mortal of the early inhabitants was
laid for its final rest Not until 1716-17 is mention made of a burying ground on the west
side of the river, so that this old ground must be alike sacred in its associations to both Way-
land and Sudbury. In burying their dead near the meeting house the settlers followed the
custom prevalent in their old English home ; but as the first meeting house was not built till
1642-3, it is supposed that the first burials were beyond the present cemetery, in what was
called the “Old Indian Burying Ground.” Here probably were buried the bodies of Thomas
King and his wife and son, who died about two years after the settlement began ; and per-
•haps it is their graves that are marked by the three horizontal stones that are still visible.
Here probably was buried Edward, the servant of Robert Darnill, who died in 1640. Passing
from this most ancient place of interment, we enter at once upon the new portion of the
90
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
“Old Euryiiig Ground.” Here is the family lot of James S. Draper, surrounded by a cres-
cent shaped evergreen hedge that opens to the suidight. Here is the lot and the grave of
Dr. Joseph Rutter Draper, late of Boston, and surgeon in the Federal arm}* during the civil
war. He was a descendant of John Rutter, one of the early grantees. Here, too, are the
graves of Lydia IMaria Child and her husband, David Lee Child. They are marked by
two marble stones, on which are inscribed the following epitaphs : —
LYDIA MARIA CHILD
Born Feb. 11, 1S02
Died Oct. 20, 1880
You call us dead
K'e are not dead
We are truly liviny now.
DAVID LEE CHILD
Came to this world in West Boylston, JIass.,
.Inly 8th, 1704 ;
Vanished from this world in Wayland,
Sept. 18tli. 1874.
Passing on towards the centre of the yard, we read the names of Heard, Noyes, Cutting,
Gleason ; and in the more ancient jtortioii, on the moss-covered and weather-stained slate
stones, are found tlie cross-hones and skulls :ind quaint epitaphs. This last-named portion,
which constitutes the original graveyard, lays along the highway. In 1800 it was enlarged
on its southerly side by purchase from Nathan and Luther Gleason of about three-fourths of
an acre; and in 1835 it was further enlarged by purchase, from the heirs of William Noyes,
of land to unite it with the “ Gld Indian Burying Ground.” This ancient burial place is
situated on the county road from Wayland to Sudbury Centre, about a half mile from the
railroad station. Its surface in places is quite uneven and rough, and in some places the wild
grass has probably never been upturned, except when the ground has been broken for new
graves. The general direction of the older graves is northerly and southerly, which is con-
trary to the position of graves in some of the old New England burying grounds, whicli is in
an easterly and westerly direction.
For inscriptions on some of the grave-stones see pp. 53 and 54.
THE GRAVE OF REV. EDMUND BROWN.
There has been more or less conjecture as to the whereabouts of the grave of Rev.
Edmund Brown, the first minister of the settlement. The exact spot is unknown, but the
probability is that Ins body was interred somewhere in the town’s old burying ground.
Circumstances strongly favor this presunqMion, and we know of no valid objection to it. In
this town most of his eventful life was spent, and he would naturally desire to be laid among
his own people; and if there was a vacant spot in the church-yard near the old meeting
house where his voice was so long heard, we may suppose that it would be selected for his
final resting place. All the horizontal stones that are visible liave been carefully searched
for the desired inscription, and the earth has been probed with a bar to discover any that
might be concealed by the turf, but the search has been vain. Dr. Thomas Stearns, a man
much interested in historical research, stated in a lecture given in Wayland, a half century
ago, that Rev. Edmund Brown was buried in the old burying ground, and that his grave
was covered by a horizontal stone, upon the under side of which were the letters “ E. B.”
Whether Mr. Stearns received his information from tradition, or some other source, is now
unknown.
LOCATION OF FIRST MEETING HOUSE.
It is considered by the writer quite probable that the first meeting house, which was
built by John Rutter in 1642, as also the second one, which we are informed was on the site
of the first, stood on the southeidy side of the half acre first used as a burying ground, on the
Rev, John B, Wight,
At the age of 60.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
91
bank by the roadside, instead of the spot a little farther up marked by evergreen trees which
is assigned by tradition as the site of the first meeting house, and which doubtless is the site
of the third one, built in 1687-8. The following are some of the reasons for this conjec-
ture : —
1. For obvious reasons the settlers would probably place their first meeting house, as
well as their first log cabin homes, near the road, which road lay where the present county
road lies.
2. The town record concerning the location of the first meeting house is that “ It shall
stand upon the hillside before the house lot of John Loker on the other side of the way.”
3. It is stated in the “ Records ” that “ the new meeting house [that is, the third] shall
stand upon the present Burying place of this town on the most convenient part thereof or
behind or about the old meeting house that now is.” The “convenient place,” we should
suppose, would be where were the fewest graves. The first interments would naturally be
made near the meeting house; the “convenient spot,” then, would probably be back of these
graves; and since a half century had passed, and graves bearing date 1676 and 1678 are
found in what is supposed to be the farther part of the half acre originally allotted for the
burying ground, it is probable that the lower part of the yard was more or less occupied,
which may account for the third meeting house being located so far from the road.
Perhaps a reason why the third meeting house was not placed on the old site, if so be it
was not placed there, was that probably a longer time was to be occupied in the erection of
this building than of the preceding one, and the people would not unnecessarily deprive
themselves of a place of worship during this time.
The records also state, concerning a parsonage for the Rev. James Sherman, who was
settled in 1678 : “ The town bought of John Loker the east end of his house standing before
and near the meeting house, and his orchard and home lot of four acres.”
John Loker's house has been located on the “ map of house lots ” as being on the road-
side northwesterly of and beyond the burying ground. One reason for placing it here is
because the half acre first purchased by the town for a burying place was a part of the house
lot of John Loker. Perhaps a cart path led up the southeasterly side of his house to his
orchard, which may be the “ way ” referred to in the record. These records perhaps may
indicate that the meeting house stood near the southwestern corner of the yard. Moreover
this spot could be more properly called the hillside, especially before the present bank wall
had diminished the slope to the road, than the spot referred to above, which might almost be
called the summit.
SUCCESSION OF MEETING HOUSES.
Four meeting houses have been erected in the present territory of Wayland, which are
successors of the one built by John Rutter in 1642-3. Two of these were in the old burying
ground, as before observed, and the others at the Centre (see pp. 49 and 51). These,
together with the first one, we think circumstances and the records indicate, have for near
two centuries and a half been the houses of worship of the same church organization, viz.,
that over which the Rev. Edmund Brown was the first minister, and which is now known
as the church of the First Parish, or the Unitarian Church. Although changes may have
occurred both in theology and polity, yet we have found no evidence in the old records that
the organization itself has been changed ; and we conclude, therefore, that the church estab-
lished in 1640 has passed from meeting house to meeting house as the centuries have come
and gone. During the controversy in the first quarter of the eighteenth century, concerning
the division of the town into precincts (see pp. 48 and 49), nothing occurred, that we have
92
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
yet discovered, which caused the church on the east side to lose its identity as the First
Church of the town. There was a separation from it, but not a removal of it. The records
of the church, as kept by Mr. Loring, inform us that the church met at his house, Feb. 11,
1723, and voted that the church be divided into two churches. The desire to divide came
from the east side })eople, and Mr. Loring at this time was living with them, he not having
removed to the west side till the 25th of July following (see pp. 48 and 49). Previous to
the time the vote was taken to divide, preaching had been maintained in both precincts.
The one element, we conclude, was already worshipping in the west precinct, and the
remaining element, we infer, without evidence to the contrary, continued on in the east
precinct as the original church, with all its traditions, associations, and prestige. It is true
that the records were subsequently in the possession of the west precinct church, and are
now in the hands of the Unitarian parish of Sudbuiy; but this may be accounted for on the
supposition that Mr. Loring, having kejit the scanty records that were then made of church
matters, may have taken them with him on his removal to the west side as a matter of no
consequence to either church. On March 18, 1724-5, the west side people “entered into
and renewed ” a “ holy church covenant,” and to this were subscribed the names of the
thirty-two male communicants on that side the river, including that of Mr. Loring. This
evidently was not a consecration meeting ; for, if it had been, the names of the forty-two
female communicants would have been subscribed also. The fact of this renewal of cove-
nant relations may indicate that the people now worshipping on the west side felt the need
of a formal ehurch organization. That the east side considered the Rev. Israel Loring their
pastor, after the west side had given him a call, is indicated by the statement that the east
side people took measures to provide for “ their now settled minister, Mr. Israel Loring.”
The very fact that the west side people gave him a call shows that they did not consider
him then pastor, but the pastor of the east side church. According to the records the
church voted to divide, not to remove. A part went out, and the rest remained ; and we
infer that the part which remained had no occasion to organize anew. New parochial adjust-
ments may have been made on both sides, as old parish relations would naturally, if not
necessarily, be disturbed ; but the church iu its religious or covenant relations, on the east
side, we conclude, remained unchanged, and that it was as truly as ever before, the First
Church of Sudbury. The following, we think, is an outline of the leading facts relating to
the church and parish in the two precincts: Dec. 18, 1721, the west precinct voted “to have
the preaching of the word of God amongst us.” This indicates that there was a jjarish
there. A little later, they extended a call to Mr. Loring to become their pastor; and shortly
after this, the east precinct invited him to remain with them, and took measures to provide
for “ their now settled minister, Mr. Israel Loring.” This indicates that a parish was in
existence in the east precinct. June 11, 1723, it was voted “to divide the church into two
churches.” This may indicate that, though the east and west precincts acted at that time
as sepai’ate bodies in their parish relations, the}’ still remained an undivided church. On
March 18, 1724-5, the west precinct entered into and renewed a “holy church covenant,” to
which the male members subscribed their names. This may indicate that at that time a
church was formed iu the west precinct. The vote to divide the church took place at Mr.
Loring’s house, on the east side, Feb. 11, 1723. He moved to the west side the next July,
and as the records were kept by himself he probably took them with him ; and had he decided
not to accept their call, and remained on the east side till his death, the records probably
would have remained also and been transferred to his successors. The foregoing is the
opinion of the writer, as formed from the facts and records that he has thus far discovered.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
93
INDUSTRIES.
Tanneries. — In 1773 James Brown had a tannery at a spot near the present grocery
store of Henry Lee & Sons, and forty rods of land thereabouts were sold for the purpose.
About 1765 Dr. E. Roby owned a tan-yard on land now the house lot of Mr. William
R. Dudley. This tan-yard was in use until about 1805.
There was also a tan-yard on the Hawes place, at the beginning of the 19th century^
• kept by Benjamin Poole ; and also one on the Seth Adams place, at an early date.
Brick-making. — Bricks were made on land called “ Smithfield,” which is the field
lying next to and northwest of the Widow Bowles’ house at Whales’ Bridge, at a very early
date. They were also made at “ Timber Neck;” near the North school-house; at “Common
Swamp,” a locality of about fifty acres in front of L. H. Sherman’s house ; and also west of
“ Pelham Pond.” At all these places excavations or clay-pits are probably visible.
Timothy Allen kept a tailor’s shop in the centre of the town from 1805 to 1845. About
1830 a house, formerly used as a store, was moved from “ Bigelow’s Corner” to a spot near
the brick house opposite the “ Old Roby House,” and in this house he afterwards carried on
his business. The building is now Theodore Sherman’s shoe store.
Blacksmiths. — Within the original limits of the Sudbury territory the following
blacksmiths early plied their trade : Mr. Stearns, formerly of Charlestown ; Richard Sanger
(see p. 44), from 1777 to 1815. Silas Grout kept a shop located at a spot in front of the
Judge Mellen house.
Carpenters at an early date were John Rutter, 1639 ; Ephraim Curtis, 1690 ; John
Merriam, 1750 to 1780 ; Isaac Carver, 1790 to 1820.
Stores and Storekeepers. — About 1750 a store was built by Dr. E. Roby, and by
1814 the house was occupied by Dr. Nathan Rice. It stood on the present William R.
Dudley place.
About 1790 to 1808 Becky (Rebecca.) Drumond, a maiden lady, kept a store of small
wares and goods near the spot now occupied by C. A. Cutting’s house.
Aaron and William Bridge kept a store in a part of the “ Bridge Parsonage ” (Alden
Wellington place) from 1790 to 1815.
Jonas F. Heard kept a dry goods and grocery store in a building once used as a school
house, which stood near the present railroad station at the Centre, and which was long
known as the “ Old Red Store,” or Newell Heard’s store (see p. 57).
The “Green Store” was in the building next to the Unitarian church at the easterly.
Dry goods and groceries were sold there as early as 1816 by J. F. Heard, and later by Asa
Wheeler, James E. Field, Jesse Wheeler, H. F. Lee, and others.
At “ Bigelow’s Corner ” John Flagg kept dry goods and groceries about 1815 to 1827,
near the house now owned by T. W. Bennett.
About 1835 George Smith sold dry goods and groceries at the house now occupied by
J. Mullen at the Centre. Goods were subsequently sold there by Charles Howard and also
by John M. Seward.
The building at present used as a store by Henry Lee was built by Deacon J. W. Morse
about 1848, and used by him for a dry goods and grocery store. L. B. White, George Hosmer,
and Charles Richardson have since occupied the building for store purposes.
The “Old Town House,” built in 1841, was purchased in 1879 by L. K. Lovell, who
has since used it for a store.
In several of the stores and buildings now named the post office has been kept.
94
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
SLAVES AND COLORED SERVANTS.
Colored servants were early owned or employed on the east side of the river. As early as
1653 the records concerning land division inform us about servants “as men have, that they
have either bought or bought up.” In Vol. LXXIX., p. 247, State Archives, is a petition
from Richard Heard, to the effect that he had a negro man in His Majesty’s service, in Capt.
John Nixon’s company, and that he was taken sick at Deerfield on his way home, and
remained there sick for a long time ; and that he had to take his two horses and go after him. •
He asked the General Court to consider his case, and the committee reported “ twenty-five
shillings in full to be be paid to Col. John Noyes for the use of the Petitioner.”
Rev. John Swift of Framingham disposed of five slaves by his will, one of whom, named
Nero, he gave to Dr. Kbenezer Roby, his son-in-law, of Sudbury.
In the old burying ground are small slate stones that mark the graves of two colored
persons, who were once evidently servants in the old Noyes family. On one of the stones is
the following inscription : —
PETEK BOAZ
A Coloured Man
jEt 63.
On the other stone is the inscription : —
FLORA
A Coloured Woman
91.
These graves are placed in an easterly and westerly direction at the foot of graves
of the descendants of Mr. Peter Noyes, “gentleman,” who came to America in the ship
“Confidence” in 1638, and was one of the town’s early grantees (see p. 2).
But few negroes were living in town a century and a half ago. The following is a state-
ment of their number, as given in “Memoirs of Sudbury,” which is a small sketch of Sudbury
history, supposed to have been written by Rev. Israel Loring : — >
Number of white people in town on both sides of the river 1,74.5
Number of Negroes, males 15
Number of Negroes, females 12
Total number of blacks 27
There is reason for supposing that colored people were held in a good degree of respect
among the white inhabitants in whose families they lived. Dr. Israel Loring writes very
kindly in his diary about a servant named Simeon, who was born and bred in his household,
and died just after he arrived at the age of freedom. He writes: “April 30th, 1755, this
morning Simeon was taken ill of colic, but soon recovered.” “ May 10th, Simeon died,
aged 21. Altho’ he partly recovered, he grew worse again. He was greatly beloved by the
family, and has drowned us in tears. In the evening we committed the remains of Simeon
to the grave. A great number of the congregation attended the funeral.” The Sabbath
following Mr. Loring preached a sermon on his death, taking his text from Ps. Ixxxix. 48.
In the central and older portion of the old burying ground at Sudbury Centre is a grave-
stone with the following inscription : —
Here Lies y® Body of Simeon y'
Once Faithful & Beloved
Servant of y® Rv<i M'' Isra'*
Loring, who Died May y® 10, 1755,
in y® 22 Tear of His Age.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WATLAND.
95
WOBK HOUSE.
In 1753 a movement was made to establish a work house in Sudbury, in order, as stated,
that “Idle & Disorderly People” might be employed. In process of time the project was
carried out, and in 1765 a building was hired of Isaac Reed, for which he was to receive as
rent two pounds eight shillings.
One of the rules or regulations relating to the work house, as enacted “ at a quarterly
meeting of all the Overseers of the Poore in Sudbury- at the work house in said Sudbury on
the first Tuesday of the month, April, Anno Domini 1763,” is as follows: —
Tliat when any Parson whome we Shall .Judge Doath Fall u^^er^Mu- Immediate care and Inspection Shall be
by a Summon under the hand of our moderator or Clark Duly Sent to him Setting forth the time for his api)earance
before us at the said work house, and Shall not PunctuaUc a^e^^'hefore us the said Overseers, at the said work
house, and then and in that case, a warrant \mAes^0 fcro and Seal of our said Clark Shall Isue out Dyrected to
the master of the said work hou^'TUitto^:^^onstable of the s^ Towne of Sudbury forthwith Requiring them to
apprehend the body of the s'* Canmm^us Parson and Cause him or her to apjiear before us, the overseers at the
said work house, tliat he or she play be Proceeded with or Punished for his or her Contempt, by being publicly
whipped at the whipping post at the work house not Exceeding Ten Strii)es or otherways as the said Overseers Shall
then order, and be Subject to pay to the office' that Shall have served the s^ warrant his fees by Law allowed him,
the Sendee of which Smnmons Shall be found by Giving him or her Summon in form aforesaid or Leaving same at
his or her Last or usual place of abode, by any Constable of s^ Sudbury or any one of the Overseers who Shall make
Retimi of IT* Summons to the s^ Overseers at the time therein ordered.
SMALL -POX HOSPITALS.
The people of Sudbury were not exempt from the dread so common in ancient times of
the small-pox scourge. We of to-day can but imperfectly conceive of the peril to which
people were exposed where the disease prevailed before the discovery of vaccination. The
victims were not buried in the town’s common burial places, but in lonely isolated spots, to
avoid the contagion that might result if the grave was encroached upon, even after the lapse
of many years, by the opening of new graves. Inoculation was a mode of treatment intro-
duced about 1721, by which it was supposed a person could have the disease in a very light
form, and be free from the danger of contagion ever after.
Several hospitals, or “pest houses,” as they were called, were erected in Sudbury for
the accommodation of any who wished to go to them and take the disease in this way, and
there be treated. Three of these hospitals were in East Sudbury. One of them was on the
island, another in the “ pock pasture,” where an old cellar hole marks the spot (see p. 57),
and the other near the residence of Mr. J. S. Draper. At the last-named pest house five of
the patients died, and were buried in the northwest corner of the field in which the house
stood. At two of these graves are slate headstones, with the following inscription : —
In memory of
ilr. Zebadiab Allen
Who Died of the Small Pox
June 2, ITTT.
Aged 7-5 years
In memory of
Mary Wife of
Mr Zebadiab Allen
Wbo died of the Small Pox
June 7, 1777
Many of those who thus voluntarily took the disease had it in a mild form ; but after a
96
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
time inoculation was forbidden by law and vaccination took its place, and now the lonely
graves, tradition, and a few records are all that remain to tell of the ancient pest houses.
TOWN AREA, ETC.
The town of Wayland contains an area of 10,051 acres. The Sudbury River forms its
westerly boundary for the distance of five miles, two hundred and fifty-one rods ; it riuis
within the town four miles and two hundred and thirty rods, and its entire length, between
the north and south boundary, is ten miles and one hundred and sixty-two rods. ( For
further facts about Sudbury River, see p. 34.)
V IRREGULARITY OF THE TOWN’S BOUNDARY LINE AT SANDY HILL.
When the east side people sought for a division of the town, one objection brought
against it by the west side was that they would lose the “Training Field;” and it is sup-
posed that Caleb Wheeler was a strong opposer of the measure, because it would bring his
farm into the proposed new town. It was probably as a means of compromise that both of
these tracts were left in Sudbuiy, and hence the irregular boundary at Sandy Hill. Lands in
Sudbury on the summit of the hill, and adjacent to the South Sudbury and Wayland new
road, are still called the “ Wheeler place.” Various efforts have been made by town officials
to have the line straightened, but they have thus far been in vain.
There is, in connection with the record of the boundary line of the two towns, the fol-
lowing clause: “And it is also enacted that the House and lands of Caleb Wheeler — together
with the Training-field adjoining thereto — shall remain to the Town of Sudbuiy.”
FIRST OFFICIAL BOARD OF EAST SUDBURY, 1780.
At the first town meeting held in East Sudbury the following officers were elected :
Joseph Curtis, town clerk and treasurer ; Capt. Richard Heard, Joseph Curtis, Phinehas
Glezen, Jacob Reeves, Capt. Isaac Loker, selectmen ; Joseph Curtis, William Baldwin,
Lieut. Thomas Brintnall, assessors; Capt. John Noyes, Isaac Damon, collectors; William
Baldwin, Lieut. John Whitney, Capt. Isaac Loker, Lieut. Jonathan Hoar, highway survey-
ors; Phinehas Glezen, Lieut. Joseph Dudley, tithing-men ; William Barker, William Dudley,
fence viewers ; Ezekiel Rice, fish-reeve ; Samuel Griffin, Nathaniel Reeves, field drivers ;
William Revis, hog-reeve ; Lieut. Samuel Russell, sealer of leather. Capt. Richard Heard
was chosen representative.
CHANGES IN THE OCCUPANTS OF OLD HOMESTEADS.
In all parts of Wayland real estate has to a large extent changed owners in the last few
years, and a corresponding change has occurred in the inhabitants. Old families that inher-
ited their farms as heirlooms, and upon the roofs of whose houses the moss of many years
had gathered, have died or removed from town, and their estates have passed into the hands
of strangers, many of whom are foreigners. In the north part these changes are especially
apparent. Fifty years ago the locality about Sherman’s Bridge, then known as “Sheep
End,” was largely owned and occupied by families of the name of Sherman. This name
was once prominent in ecclesiastical and political affairs, but there are few now bearing it
in town.
In the neighborhood of the “ Plain,” also, marked changes have occurred. A half cen-
tury ago the Draper family owned most of the real estate in this section. In the north-
easterly part of it was the farm of Ira Draper. Mr. Draper was energetic in all his business,
IRA DRAPER HOMESTEAD,
Wayland.
See page 97.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
97
and prominently connected with the formation of the Congregational Church of Wayland
and the erection of its house of worship. James Draper, an elder brother, was a prominent
citizen, and active in affairs of town and church, as is stated in another place. (See
biographical sketch.)
Various changes have taken place on the “Island” within a half century. This tract
of territory, at times wholly surrounded by water, was within a hundred years lai'gely in the
possession of the Heard family. Here, to a large extent, tlie generations of Heards who for
years wielded a wide influence in Wayland were born. Here was the home of Col. David
Heard, at one time colonel of the militia, trial justice, and state senator. Here was the birth-
place of Horace Heard, who for years was a deputy sheriff of Middlesex county, and once
represented the district in the General Court. On the westerly side was the homestead of
Abel Heard, a soldier of 1812. After his decease the estate was purchased by Mr. Bucking-
ham, a business man of Boston, who has changed its appearance somewhat ; but the magnifi-
cent elms, through whose branches the winds of many a winter have swept, still outstretch
their friendly arms to shelter the inmates of the old homestead, the transient traveller, and
the visitor to the beautiful pond near by.
At the present time not a male inhabitant by the name of Heard is left among their
former habitations. One by one they have left their quiet dwellings, and on the old burying
ground by the hillside is here and there a monument or weather-beaten stone that suggests
how numerous the family once was in town.
Changes have also taken place at the westerly extremity of the town beyond the Sud-
bury River, at what was anciently known as the “ Gravel Pit.” A great many years ago
there was located here a tavern, a store, a schoolhouse, and a blacksmith’s shop. This place
was designated as a convenient one on which to locate a new meeting house for the better
accommodation of the whole township, at the time of the controversy relating to the division
of the town into the east and west precincts. Had this occurred, it might have prevented
the formation of two precincts, and at the “ Gravel Pit ” might have been the central
village, and the town remained undivided.
The changes that have occurred in the south part have been mentioned in another
place. A fine residence was lately erected near Cochituate Lake, on the Simpson estate,
and is now owned by the widow of the late Michael Simpson, proprietor of the Saxonville
mills. The grounds are called “Evangeline Park.” These grounds have many woody
paths and roads, which afford pleasaiat walks and drives.
SCHOOLS.
The schools at the present time are known as the Wayland High and Grammar, Centre
Primary, North, Rutter, Thomas, Lokerville, Cochituate High and Grammar, Cochituate
Intermediate, Cochituate Primaries (1, 2, and 3).
About fifty years ago the Centre School was moved from the little brick school-house,
which had been standing since 1808 at the southwest corner of the old Common (see j)- 57),
to the rear room, on the ground floor, in what is now the old town house. Later, this school
was divided, a part of the scholars going to the school located on the road extending between
the present Wellington and Parmenter places, and a part going to the “ Rutter ” School.
The first of these schools was formerly kept in a small building near the Baldwin
house. This was one of five brick school-houses built between 1799 and 1808. It was
sold to James Draper, and a wooden one erected near the present Lombard house, which was
moved to its present location in 1843. Previous to the last removal it was called the “Street
School : ” now it is the “ Centre Primary.” At this school-house stands a flag-staff, a flag
98
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
having been presented by George Eli Sherman, Jan. 7, 1890, a former resident of the town
and pupil of the school.
In 1799 a brick school-house was erected in the “Rutter” district. This was succeeded
by a wooden one. The location was on a road called the “ Lane,” which extended from the
Rutter place to Cochituate, easterly of Perkins’ Hill. In 1853 it was moved to its present
location, about an eighth of a mile southerly of the Boston and Worcester county road, on
the road that extends from it to the Rutter place.
The people of Wayland have always set a high value on educational privileges. More
than fifty years ago a school was kept for young ladies in the chapel of the Congregational
Church by Miss Caroline Gleason. In 1839 a private school, called the Wayland Academy,
was opened in the same place by Leonard P. Frost and his sister, Anna P. Frost. Classes
were heard in the “Green Store.” Vocal and instrumental music and the languages were
taught by young men residing in town. Very soon the school was removed to the Town
Hall, scholars came from the surrounding towns, and the number of pupils at one time was
over a hundred. This school, though popular, was short lived. About 1842 a school of the
same grade was taught by Miss Anna Brown in the same place. Some very successful
teachers went out from these schools.
In 1854 a high school building was erected at the centre, on the road to Cochituate, a
little southerly of the Orthodox Congregational Church. With the erection of this building
was established a high grade of school on a permanent basis. The first principal was Erastus
N. Fay, a graduate of Dartmouth College ; the second, Mr. UeWitt, who was followed b}"^
John Hudson of Lexington. The first lady principal was Miss L. R. Draper, a graduate of
New Hampton Seminary, and formerly principal of the Wadsworth Academy, South Sud-
bury, and assistant in the Free Academy, Norwich, Conn. During the time of her adminis
tration the school advanced steadily in numbers and scholarship, and obtained a strong hold
on the interest and affection of the pupils, among whom was a large class of young men and
women Avho have since become responsible and useful members of society. On the school
board at this time were Hon. Edward Mellen and Dr. Edmund H. Sears. For a series of
years after this the school was composed of a younger class of pupils, and the studies did not
range so high ; but latterly the school has improved in this respect, so that for three years
there has been a regular graduating class.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The verbal proposition of Dr. Wayland to give the town five hundred dollars towards
establishing a free library, provided the inhabitants would raise a like amount, was made to
Hon. Edward Mellen, on commencement day at Brown University, R.L, 1847.
The proposition was submitted in writing to the citizens of Wayland, at a public meet-
ing held Jan. 17, 1848. At the same meeting Mr. J. S. Draper was appointed as an agent
to solicit the sum required to secure the proffered gift. Two hundred and eight persons
responded to the call, and the sum was raised by Feb. 10, 1848. The same year a room
was prepared on the front lower floor of the old town house, where the books were deposited,
and Aug. 7, 1850, the new library was opened to the public. In 1861 the number of books
having so increased that the old quarters were inconveniently small, the lower room in the
same building, that had been used for school purposes, was fitted up for a library, and the
books transferred to it.
December, 1878, the books were removed to the commodious room prepared for them in
the new Town Hall. At that time the number of volumes was 7,485, and the number in
circulation was 519. Mr. Henry Wight served as librarian during the first fifteen years.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
99
and was succeeded in 1865 by Mr. J. S. Draper, who held the position till within a few
years, since which time this service has been performed by Mrs. John Ileaid.
In this library are some rare old books, among which are three folio volumes in old style
type, bearing on the titlepage the words “ London, 1673,” and containing inside the covers,
in manuscript, the following words: —
These practical works of the late Rev*^ and pious Mr. Richard Baxter, in four volumes, folio, are given in
sheets by the Hon. Samuel Holden, Esq., of London ; and are bound at the charge of Jlr. Samuel Sewell of Boston,
merchant, for the use of the Church and Congregation in the East Precinct of the town of Sudbury, now under
the care of the Rev. Mr. Cook, by the direction and disposal of the Rev. Mr. Ben.j. Colman, Pastor of a church in
Boston.
Boston, .Inly 19, 17dl.
The library is adorned by life-size portraits of Rev. Francis Wayland, D.D., Rev. John
B. Wight, Hon. Edward Mellen, Rev. Edmund 11. Sears. D.D., Ebenezer Ames, M.D., Mrs.
Lydia Maria Cbild, and Dea. James Draper, and by life-size busts of William IT. Prescott,
Louis Agassiz, and William E. Channing, — all of which were donated to the library. The
whole number of volumes in the year 1889-90, according to the librarian’s report, was 11,-
095, and the whole number in circulation was 6,081.
INDIAN RELICS.
In the library is a valuable collection of Indian relics gathered from various sources bj’’
Mr. James S. Draper, and tastefully arranged and labelled. The collection consists in part
of arrow and spear heads, stone tomahawks or axes, and specimens of the rude instruments
made by the aborigines for domestic or culinary purposes. Some of these specimens are
quite perfect; others show the marks of age or misuse, either before or after coming into the
hands of the finder. The collection is sufficient to indicate that the Indian was possessed
of some ingenuity, and also that many of his race once roamed these fields and had their
abodes here.
For further facts about the Indians see pp. 66 and 67.
COLLEGE GRADUATES.
The following list contains the names of persons from Sudbury and East Sudbury who
graduated at Harvard University before the year 1800. Those designated by one star are
knoton to have been from the east side ; those designated by two stars are supposed to have
been from the east side : —
Date of Graduation.
Samuel Jeniiison* .... 1720
Noyes Parris** 1721
William Briiitnall** .... 1721
Thomas Frink 1722
-lolin Loring 1729
.Jonathan Loring .... 1738
William Cook** .... 1748
William Baldwin** .... 1748
Gideon Richardson .... 1749
Samuel Baldwin** .... 1752
•Jude Damon* . . . . 1770
Aaron Smith* 1777
Ephraim Smith* 1777
Reuben Puft'er 1778
.Jacob Bigelow
Phinehas .Johnson* .... 17!)9
Profession.
Teacher.
Teacher.
Clergyman.
Teacher.
Teacher.
Clergyman.
Clergyman.
Teacher.
Merchant.
Clergyman.
Physician.
Studied theology and law.
100
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
The following are the names of college graduates from East Sudbury and Wayland
year loUU : —
l>ate of Graduation.
Prof«39ion.
Joseph Adams
(H.U., 180.5)
Lawyer.
David Damon
(H.U., 1811)
Clergyman.
Seth Damon .
(H.U., 1811)
Clergyman.
Josiah Rutter
(II.U., 18:13)
Lawyer.
Norwood Damon .
(H.U., 183:1)
Clergyman.
Gardner Rice .
(Wesleyan Univ., 18:!4)
Clergyman.
Elbridge Smith
(H.U., 1841)
Teacher.
Abner Rice
(Y.C., 1844)
Teacher.
Franklin F. Heard
(H.U., 1848)
Lawyer.
Benjamin 1). Frost
(College of New Jersey) .
Civil Engineer.
Edward Frost
(II.U., 18.-)())
Civil Engineer.
Edwin H. Heard
(B.U., 1831)
Joseph R. Draper .
(W.C., 1831)
Physician.
Jared M. Heard
(B.U., 183:l)
Clergyman.
Edward T. Damon
(II.U., 1837)
Frank W. Draper .
(B.U., 1802)
Physician.
Joshua Mellen
(B.U., 1802)
Merchant.
Arthur G. Bennett .
(W.C., 1809)
Merchant.
Fred M. Stone
(Wesleyan University)
Left College before graduation.
WAYLAND CENTRE, 18tK).
In addition to what has been given in the historical narrative, a few more facts about
Wayland Centre as it is, may be of value. The place at present has two grocery and dry
goods stores, a blacksmith’s and wheelwright’s sliop, a livery stable, and a store or shop for
the sale and repair of boots and shoes. There are two resident lawyers, — Richard T.
Lombard and Daniel Bracket. The former has been the town clerk for several years.
Besides giving attention to his law business, Mr. Lombard is also engaged in the culture of
flowers. He has quite an extensive green -house, which is situated on his farm by the road
from Wayland to Sudbury, about a half mile from the railroad station.
In addition to the religious services held in the churches on Sunday, a service has
recently been started by the Roman Catholics in the old town hall.
At Wayland Centre and its vicinity are some excellent farms, which are well kept and
very productive.
The village contains three or four dozen dwelling-houses, and all or nearly all of them
are owned by their occupants. The streets are well supplied with shade trees, and in some
places the broad branches of the elms almost ovei’shadow the entire highway. Outside the
village the country is dotted with pleasant farm houses, more or less of which are old home-
steads, where dwell a thrifty people.
Ordek of Exercises
AT THK
TOWN HALL DEDICATION,
Dec. 24, 1878.
Music. — Gochituate Brass Band.
Introductory Address. — .lames Sumner Draper, President of the Day.
Vocal Music. — Select Choir.
Delivery of the Keys. — II. B. Braman, Chairman of Building Committee.
Reception of the Same. — Dr. C. II. Boodey, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Music. — Band.
Dedicatory Prayer. — Rev. E. L. Chase.
Vocal Music.
Address. — Elbridge Smith, Principal of the Dorchester High School, a Native of Wayland.
Singing. — Old Hundred, by the Audience.
Benediction. — Rev. T. A. Merrill.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
101
SEMI-CENTENNIAL SERVICES OF THE EVANGELICAL TRINITARIAN CHURCH.
On May 21, 1878, the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the Evangelical Trintarian
Church was celebrated by commemorative services at its meeting house. The semi-centennial
sermon was preached by the pastor. Rev. Truman Allen Merrill, from Psalms xlviii. 12-14,
duiing the morning session ; and after an ample collation, at noon, the exercises were
resumed, and remarks were made by the following Congregational ministers : Revs. E.
Dowse, S. D. Hosmer, H. M. Grout, G. A. Oviatt, H. J. Richardson, E. E. Strong, F. N.
Peloubet, L. R. Eastman, Jr., C. Jones, A. S. Hudson. Other speakers were Rev. Mr.
Chase, of the Methodist Church, Dea. Thomas Hurlbut, of Sudbury, Mr. John N. Sherman,
Mr. S. A. Holton, and Dea. Eben Eaton, of Framingham, who was a delegate to the council
that organized the church fifty years before.
The day passed pleasantly with the reassembled friends of the church. A hymn was
sung which was written for the occasion by Miss Lucy A. Lee, and letters from former
pastors and friends were read by Joseph A. Roby.
REPAIRS AND RE-DEDICATION OF THE MEETING HOUSE OF THE EVANGELICAL TRINITARIAN
CHURCH.
In 1883 extensive repairs were made on the meeting house of the Orthodox Church, and
Jan. 1, 1884, the building was re-dedicated. The repairs cost $2,881.71, and some of the
improvements consisted in the putting in of a furnace, new windows, new pews, new pulpit
and pulpit furniture, a change of the organ from the front to the rear of the building, and
the making of an entrance from the rear of the church to the chapel, painting, frescoing,
recarpeting, «fec.
The dedication service consisted in part of a dedicatory sermon, preached by Rev. Dr.
R. R. Meredith, of Boston, and dedicatory prayer by Rev. D. W. Kilburn, of Boston. Both
of the foregoing occasions were of an exceedingly interesting character, and brought together
many of the friends of the church, among whom were some who were associated with it in
work and worship many years before.
REMODELLING OF THE UNITARIAN MEETING HOUSE.
In 1850 the Unitarian meeting house was remodelled. The pulpit and galleries were
removed, and a new or upper floor was laid, on which an audience room was finished. A
music gallery was constructed which fronted the pulpit, a mahogany pulpit was provided, the
windows were lengthened, and the walls and ceiling frescoed. The aisles were also changed,
and the old pews were reset, grained, and furnished with cushions. The lower floor was
used as a vestry, and afforded room for other purposes. A iiiano was placed in the vestry
for Sunday school and other uses, and in 1866 a new organ was placed in the audience
room at a cost of $1,000.
soldiers’ MEMORIAL.
This is a royal octavo volume of four hundred and fifty pages, which contains outline
sketches of Way land soldiers. There are in the book seventy sketches of soldiers and
marines, and an appendix containing the actions of the town relating to the war. It was
prepared by James S. Draper, a lifelong citizen of Wayland, and was published by the town.
The completion of the work was celebrated Jan. 5, 1871, at the Methodist Episcopal Church,
Cochituate. Every seat in the building was occupied, and the assembly was presided over
by J. C. Butterfield. A hymn written by the author of the book was read by Miss Butter-
102
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
field, and remarks were made by several speakers, among whom were Col. Nntt, of Natick,
and Col. John Hudson, of Lexington. The audience was then addressed b)" Mr. Draper,
and a copy of the book presented to each soldier present, and also to the families of those
deceasd. The soldiers, in recognition of IMr. Draper’s services in setting forth their military
experience, presented to him a gold-headed cane. The presentation speech was made by
Miss Moore, of Cochituate.
PERMANENT FUNDS OF WAYLAND.
The older funds of Wayland in aid of the deserving poor (called “Donation funds”)
originated, first, by the will of Peter Noyes, Esq., dated Jan. 6, 1697 ; second, b}^ the will of
Capt. Joshua Haynes, Sept. 18, 1717 ; and, third, by the will of Miss IMary Dean, Jan. 9,
1767. All these donors were citizens of Sudbury before it was divided.
M iss Dean’s gift was solely in aid of the poor on the east side of the river. The other
two being for the whole town, they were equally divided between Sudbury and East Sudbury
in 1780.
Wayland’s present permanent investment of the old “ Donation fund ” is <f 1,300.
The “ Allen fund ” of SI, 000, in aid of the poor who have become chargeable to the
town as paupers, was the gift of Mrs. Nabby A. Draper and her sister. Miss Debby Allen,
in 1854.
The “ Draper fund ” of §500, for the benefit of the “ Wayland Free Puhlic Library,”
was presented to the town by Dea. James Draper in 1863.
The “Child fund” of §100, left to the town by the will of Mrs. Lydia Maria Child in
1880, is also for the library.
The “Loker fund for the relief of the poor in Wayland” was a bequest of Beulah
(Loker) Livingston, joined with her sister, Fanny (Loker) Leadbetter, natives of the town,
and daughter of Ebenezer (Senior) and Betsy Loker; as a memorial of whom the fund is
bequeathed.
Mrs, Nabby A, Draper,
At the age oC (IS.
THE SHOE BUSINESS
AND ITS
GROWTH AT COCHITUATE.
THE SHOE BUSINESS AND ITS GROWTH AT COCIHTUATE.
As the prosperity of Cochituate has been largely identified with the manufacture of
shoes, some facts concerning the past and present of this business are of importance in con-
nection with the town’s history. In the early times shoes were less worn than they are now.
Moccasins and leggins may in part have formed a substitute. These could be made at the
fireside, and the material be of the skins of wild animals and home-spun cloth. The flexible
material of which these coverings were made was perhaps more convenient to wear with
snow-shoes than leather would have been. In the warm season it was the practice to go
barefoot, and children have followed this custom in later times. Even in the first quarter of
the present century it was not uncommon for the youth of both sexes to carry their shoes in
their hands till within a short distance of the meeting house on Sunday before putting them
on. From very early times we hear of carpenters and blacksmiths, but no mention is made
of shoemakers on the town records.
After shoemaking became a trade and the shoemaker a professional craftsman, he some-
times plied his avocation by what was called “ whipping the cat ; ” that is, he would go
around from house to house in an itinerant way mending and making the shoes of the family,
each householder having in readiness the material to be used. After a time the shoe shop
was established, where young men went and served an apprenticeship, and to which work
came in from the surrounding country. Next to the village inn and grist-mill, the shoe shop
was a favorite resort for social chat on a wet day or winter’s night. People would get their
leather tanned at the village tannery and carry the “ side ” to the shoemaker and have it
made up to order. The work until into the present century was all sewed and of a
style quite unlike that of the present. The upper to the boot was not “ crimpt,” but made
with a “tongue,” as it was called. Pegs were not used, the “upper” was sewed or
“ whipped ” to the inner sole, and the outer sole was sewed with a stout waxed-end to a
welt which was first made fast to the inner sole. The first pegs were home or hand-made,
and the shoemaker drove them into the shoe, as it was held to his knee by a leather strap.
The low shoe bench was used at that time, and the workman sat bending over his work with
lasts at his feet and his tools at his side; and it was an easy thing to “take up his kit and
start” for other quarters. At this stage of the business the lap-stone was used. This was
a common flat stone of convenient size to place on the knees or lap, and on this he hammered
his stock. The edge of the sole was pared with a knife and smoothed with a fragment of
glass, and the uppers were sewed with a rude “ clamp ” made perhaps of common staves held
together by his knees. The shoemaker made his own wax for his “ waxed-ends,” which
he pointed with the bristles brought to the shop by the farmer boy and sold for a penny
a bunch.
In after years new tools and conveniences came into use. Machine pegs began to be
made. These pegs could be bought by the quart at a cheap rate ; and sewed work, because
more expensive, was in less demand. Work began to be done in larger shops, and the high
bench and “head block” upon which the last was strapped took the place of the low bench
•when the shoe was pegged on the knees. The “ spoke shave ” superseded the broken glass
for the “ edge.” The self-closing iron clamp caused the old one to disappear, and the rolling
machine took the place of the lap-stone. Stock was given out at a central shop in cases of
104
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAXD.
or sixty pairs, and the workman took a case or two at a time liome, wliere in a room set
apart for the purpose, or in a little shop adjoining the house, lie made it np. At tliis stage
of the business the bottoming was often done by two persons conjointly: one. the '••boss,”
who took ont the stock and nsnally did the cutting and trimming, and the other, the
“striker,” who did the pegging. Each part}' was sujijiosed to do his work in about the same
time, which for a single shoe was from ten to twenty minutes. When more than two worked
on the same case, with parts assigned to each, it was called working by a •• team,” and the
several parties were called “a team.” The ‘‘boss” nsnally had the largest share of the
profits and furnished the “findings,” as the pegs, nails, lasting tacks, blackball, Ac., were
called. The work was usually men’s and boys’ brogans, and the pegs were usually set in
double rows from four to six to the inch. The heels were ustiallv '* fitted ” at the close of
the day’s work, and the edges polished with blackball. A day's work for two persons was
from ten to fifteen or even twenty pairs. The welts were split by hand. .After pulling the
last from the shoe the edge was colored by the use of blacking made by throwing pieces of
old iron into a vessel of vinegar. The price paid for ••bottoming” a pair of shoes varied
from twelve to twenty cents, or a little upwards, according to the (pialitv of stock and the
skill of the workman. The uppers were sewed when taken from the central sho]). This
was considered women’s work, and was done by hand. The ])egger often pegged ••through
the mouth,” one hand placing the pegs, almost by the dozen, in his mouth, while the other
seized them with each withdrawal of the awl and placed them in the shoe, so there was a
regtilar rap-tap kept up till the shoe was pegged. Skill was shown in the smoothness with
which the pegs were driven. In •• kip work ” it was immaterial if the pigs were “ broomed,”
as the crushing of the heads were called, if they were only long enough to penetrate the
“ inner sole,” for they were smoothed by a coarse file or rasp after the shoe was done. But
in ••Ru.sset” work, or shoes of unblacked leather, the pegs must be smoothly driven, as no
file was used on them, but the sole was reddened by rubbing with a ‘•colt,” which was a
piece of sandstone set in hard wood. With the introduction of machinery a rev'olution took
place in shoemaking. The sewing machine came first, then the j)egging machine. For a
time after the introduction of these machines into Bent’s shop, Cochituate, which was about
a quarter century ago, stock was to an extent still made up outside, but the custom grew less
and less till finally the work was largely done in a few large shops. For years William and
James Madison Bent let out work from a shop nearly opposite the former residence of
William Bent, which was on the main street of the village; and there are those who still
remember the old man as he leisurely walked from the house to the shop when the work
was brought in. Both these men were good judges of work and dealt fairly with their
workmen. Capt. William learned the trade in the old way, and his brother, James Mad-
ison, was a natural mechanic. The work at present is carried on in an extensive manufac-
tory by the sons of James Madison Bent.
The village of Cochituate has grown proportionately with the rapid development of the
shoe business.
In 1837, 29,660 pairs of shoes were made which were valued at 822,419 ; 31 males
and 15 females were employed. In 1865, the capital invested was 817,850, and goods were
made to the value of 8282,760 ; 182 males and 29 females were employed. In 1875, there
were nine mannfactories in the i^lace, a capital of 851,500 was invested, and the value of
goods made was 81,799,175. The number of males employed was 431 ; females, 60. In later
years the business has continued to flourish, and the large amount of money annually brought
into the place by means of it lias been largely expended in a manner which shows the public
James M, Bent,
At the age of 60.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
lOo
spirit of the citizens. Street cars, water works and electric lights are among the metropolitan
conveniences of this busy, thrifty village.
As the Bent family have been mainly instrumental in giving to this part of Wayland its
importance, a few words concerning it may not be out of place. The Bent family of Way-
land originated Avith John Bent, Avho came to America in the ship “ Confidence ” in 1638
(see page 2). He was one of the original grantees of Sudbury, and was allotted six acres
of land. The house lot assigned him was the sixth from the site of the first meeting house
(see map of house lots). The same year John Bent arrived in America he returned to Eng-
land for others of his family, and came back the next year on the ship “ Jonathan.” When
the ship was fifteen days out liis sister Agnes died, and Avheu they arrived off the Banks of
NeAvfoundland his mother, Agnes, ‘‘old and infirm,” “fell sick,” and about the time the
ship arrived in Massachusetts Bay she died. Tlie children he brought with him when he
first came were Robert, William, Peter, John, Ann. He had a sou, Joseph, and a daughter
born in this country. John, Jr., purchased land of Henry Rice, near Cochituate Brook, Avhere
he built a house, and it is said his was the fourth dwelling erected on Framingham soil.
John, Sr., was a freeman May 13, 1640, was one of the Proprietors of the the Marlboro
plantation, and died at Sudbury, Sept. 27, 1672. His wife died May 1.5, 1679. Peter was
the executor of his father’s will, and the estate was appraised at <£-344, 19s. Peter was an
original petitioner for the town of Marlboro, and a man of consequence there. In 1661 he
contracted to build a bridge on the Sudbury river “for horse and man and loaded carts to
pass over.” He died in England in 1678, aged 46. His property amounted to £471, 3s. 8d.
Among his effects Avere found a ^^air of pistols and three swords. Peter had by marriage
with his wife Elizabeth nine children, of whom the third son was Hopestill. He Avas born
in Marlboro, Jan., 1672, but, it is supposed, moved to Sudbury before he was of age, as all
his real estate transactions, which were many, were dated there. When twent3'-eight years
old he married Elizabeth BroAvn, and had eight children. He died Aug. 18, 1725, aged 54.
His estate was estimated at £1,425, 18s. In the “Old Burying Ground” is a double slate
stone erected to the memory of Thomas Bent and wife, both of whom died, according to the
inscription, Jul^’ 26, 1775 (see page 54). In the same cemetery there is a quaint little tomb-
stone to the memory of Ensign Hopestill Bent.
LOCATION OF HOMESTEADS
ALONG
WAY LAND HIGHWAYS.
LOCATION OF HOMESTEADS.
The following statement concerning Homesteads, Highways, and matters relating to
changes in real estate generally, have been furnished the writer by Mr. James S. Draper.
They are given not as absolutely correct in all cases, but as the best approximate estimate
within reach at the time of writing.
Because of the uncertainty connected with some of the statements, and hence the
necessity of employing expressions of doubt, as set forth by such terms as “about” and
“probably,” the compiler was reluctant to present the data to the community in published
form. At the writer’s earnest and persistent solicitation, however, consent was obtained,
and thus tliere have been preserved valuable data compiled by one whom we consider the
most competent authority on the subject of cbanges in homesteads along the Wayland
highways.
Some of the statements made by the compiler have been received b}^ him from tradition,
some have come to him as the result of a long personal acquaintance with places in the town,
and others have been obtained from sources of record.
Data relating to homesteads at Cochituate have not been furnished, as the age and health
of the compiler were not such as to make it expedient for him to extend his researches further
in that direction.
compiler’s preface.
The design of the following notes is to afford some aid to enquirers concerning the
localities of homesteads that now exist in Wayland, with some that are no longer seen ;
together with the names of their successive owners read in backward order, i. e., the latest
first; and also, either direct or suggestive data showing the period of time when both the
homes and their owners were extant.
Abbreviations are used as follows : —
a — about. B — built. C. H. — cellar hole. D — died. Bern. — demolished. Rem. —
removed. Des. — destroyed. Ho. — house. Loc. — locality. Opj)- — opposite. Oc. —
occupied. Prob. — probably. R. — right-hand side. L. — left-hand side. The description
or heading of each road indicates the direction in which it extends. Thus, the road from
Wayland to Sudbury denotes that the serial numbers are to be read in that direction.
ROAD FROM WAYLAND CENTRE TO SUDBURY, OVER CANAL BRIDGE.
No.
1. R. Wayland Inn (see Taverns), Willard A. Bullard, owner, 1889.
2. L. Store, H. F. Lee & Sons, groceries and dry goods, 1882 (see Stores).
3. L. Law office (unoccupied at date), G. A. Somerby. Edward Mellen, C. J. Samuel
H. Mann. B. by him, 1826.
About where the new Mill road enters on Main St. stood a meat shop, with shoe
shop over it, in 182.5. Rem. 1838, and is now the Ho. of widow Eagan. Also
the Loc. of store in 1810 (see Stores).
4. R.
108
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
5. L.
6. R.
7. R.
8. L.
9. L.
10. R.
11. L.
12. L.
13. L.
14. R.
15. L.
IG. R.
IT. R.
18. L.
19. L.
20. R.
21. L.
22. R.
23. R.
24. R.
25. L.
Ho. of J. Mullen (in part a store — see Stores). B. by G. Smith, who Oc. it as
store and Ho., 1845.
Ho. of widow Jonas Bennett. H. B. Braman, 18T9-188G. Wellington, 1870-
1879. C. Coolidge, L. B. White, 1860-1870. Dea. R. Heard, 1836. Isaac
Glezen, Jr., L. Gleason. .Ir. B. l)y M. C. Sihley, 1818.
Ho. of the late Edward Mellen, from 1831. S. IL Mann, 1825 (I). 1838, age 38).
B. by Dr. E. Ames, 1816.
Store and Hall of L. K. Tjovell, 1879 (see Stores). B. under contract for a tow n
hall, &c., by James Draper, wdio gave the land in 1841.
Ho. of L. K. Lovell, from 1874. Otis Loker (1). 1877. age 74). L. Wood (D.
1856, age 54). Dr. E(hvard Frost (D. 1838, age 40). B. by J. F. Heard, 1820.
Town Hall, offices and Public Library. B. 1878. Loc. of a double Ho. New'ell
Heard (1). 1865, age 76), and W. (\ Grout (D. 1876. age 72). B. a. 1800 by
Silas Grout, blacksmith (D. 1820, age 66).
Loc. of “Old Red Store" on S. E. corner of Railroad Station land.
Passenger Station of Central IMass. Railroad. B. 1881.
Ho. of C. H. Dickey. Widows B. A. Dudley. Widow Sarah Thayer (D. 1884,
age 82). Widow Wm. Bemis. B. A. Dudley. B. by C. Hunt, 1834.
Ho. of widow' Wm. R. Dudley. B. by him, 1856, on Loc. of old Ho. Oc. by
Calvin Rice, 1820. Dr. Nathan Rice (D. 1814, age 45). B. by Dr. E. Roby,
2d, a. 1750, for a store (see Stores).
Ho. of widow Benj. Dudley. B. by Mr. Dudley, 1872 (D. 1872, age 61).
Ho. of Caroline A. Reeves. S. Reeves, Jr. (D. 1879, age 56). Sylvester Reeves,
Sen. (D. 1862.) B. by Nath’l Reeves. Jr., 1815 (D. 1815, age 34).
Ho. of widow Cornelia Mudge, remodelled 1883. Capt. T. F. Wade. B. by
Lnther Gleason. Jr., and moved to present Loc. 1828 (see No. 25).
Farm Ho. of H. B. Braman, Rem. to present Loc., 1875, from Loc. No. 19. Asa
M. Durrell, 1870. James Francis (D. 1869, age 80). Elisha Cutting. Nahum
Cutler, 1807. Prob. B. by Z. Bryant, Jr., a. 1770. Loc. of Zechariah Bryant’s
Ho. previous.
Ho. of H. B. Braman. B. by him, 1877.
Double Ho. Ch. H. Rice and Ed. A. Peirce. B. by Dr. E. Ames, 1830. (He
D. 1861, age 73.)
Ho. of wddow John A. Heard. Rem. from Loc. No. 10, 1878. Loc. of an old Ho.
which w'as Des. by fire 1865. S. Moore (carpenter), 1860. John Kent, 1840.
B. by Nath’l Reeves. Esq , 1806 ( D. 1821, age 72).
Ho. of Alden Wellington. .John Moulton, 1875. Eli Sherman (D. 1861, age
72). Wm. and Aaion Bridge, 1801-1830. Rev. Josiah Bridge, 1761-1801.
Prob. B. by him in 1761. It Oc. the Ho. lot originally as.signed to .John
Goodnow.
Loc. of “Street School Ho.” (wooden). B. 1841. Rem. in 1854 to its present
Loc.
Ho. of R. T. Lombard, Esq. B. by him, 1887, on Loc. of his Ho. Des. by fire,
1886. W. Davis, carpenter. Coolidge. Capt. E. Pousland. B. by Luther
Gleason, Jr., 1830. It Oc. the previous Loc. of an old Ho. Isaac Cummings,
1820. IMajor Eames (D. 1814, age 32). Staples, a. 1800. B. earlier.
0pp. Lombard’s Ho., Loc. of L. Gleason, Jr. Ho. B. a. 1828, and Rem. to No. 17.
appendix to the annals of wayland.
109
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
81.
82.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45
46
47
R. In Cemetery Loc, of first three meeting houses in Sudhury ; erected in 1648 -1655
R llo^t fc. Damon. Dexter SI.erman, B. by William Sherman, 1840 fl). 1859,
age 83), on l.oc, of “Noyes Ho,” Col. .has. Noyes (D. 1791, age 43), .lohn
Noyes, Sen. (D. 1785, age 71). Prob. B. by Inni a. 1735. 17is ..)
R. Ho. of Willis sisters, 1868. Wm. Noyes. B. by Capt. John Noyes, a. 1,15 (U.
R. Ifo 01%“ painter, 1882. Jude Damon. Dexter Sherman Was Micah
Maynard’s cabinet shop. NiPl
R Loc. of old Ho., dem. 1826. Jere. Haynes, 1820. Ephraim Mors^e _1810. Natl.
Maynard (D. 1804, age 92). Prob. B. by Daniel Maynard a^ l < -O-
R Ho of Jnde Damon. T. J. Damon. David Baldwin (D. 1838, age 48). Rob.
Cutting, Jr. Prob. B. by Micah Maynard. _ -,o,n «
R. Ho. of C. A. Cutting, stationer, of Boston, from 18o<. H. B Biaman, . •
by Sam’l S. Noyes, cabinet maker, a. 1812 (D. 1833, age 40- R^c o
Rufus Bent’s tavern. tx • n o ■ 4
R. Loo. (quite near No. 82). S. S. Noyes’ cabinet shop. Rem. to No. J on Bridle Point
R “ Tylet Ho." (now part of C. A. Cutting’s estate). Wm Heard, 2d, 1855. Asa
Drury. OtlmielTyier, Esq, 1799-1882. Joseph Waldo. Capt. Wm. Baldwin.
Moses Brewei. , , , v isaq
R. Loc. of small Ho. where Miss “ Becca Drummond ' kept store a. 1809 (see
R Ho^oT Clis. A. Cutting, remodelled by him 1885. David L. and Lydia M. Child,
a 1850-1880. Convers Francis. Wm. Heard, 2d, a. 183o. B. by Wm. Bemis,
1830. Loc. of old Ho. Prob. of Maj. Dan. Maynard.
R. Loc. of Goodnow tavern at bend in the road. Nathan or Jason Bent, 18 . e
Goodnow, previous to 17 ( 5.
R. C. H. of the Baldwin tavern, Des. by fire 1886. Col. W m. Baldwin Oc. at the time.
B. by Sewall Baldwin, a. 1745. , ,, w i ir iiw
R Lee of brick school Ho. Dea. Wm Baldwin, 1842. Remodelled to dwel mg .
by J. Draper, 1841. Used as school Ho. from 1804 to 1841. Dem. 1874.
R Ho. of Dea. Wm. Baldwin. B. by him 1874. u ij
' Road over the Old Causeway to “ Gravel-pit ” locality, in continuation from Dea. Bald-
R. Ho!^of widow George T. Dickey. Noah Harrington (D. 1844, aged 68). Nath’l
Rice, 1780-1810. ^ ^ ^
L. Ho. of widow Owen McCann. B. by Warren Moore a. 1833. Loc. of Jona. Cuitis
Ho. (D. 1775, aged 55).
R Loc. of Peck’s tavern, nearly 0pp. Curtis’ Ho. (see Taverns). . i n i
L.' C. H. of Caleb Moore’s Ho. (D. 1800, age 91). Micah (called “ Judge ) Good-
now Prob. B. it a. 1720. i f i7<sn
L. Just over the hill, S. E. from No. 44, stood Ho. and store of Asa Goodnow from 1780
R. Up'th^hill a little way stood the John Taylor Ho. Des. by fire, 1837. Formerly
Ho. of Elisha Wheeler a. 1780.
R. Turning to the R. from No. 41, Ho. formerly of Geo. S. Dickey, and later of his
widow.
no
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLANl).
ROAD FROM WAYLAND CENTRE TOWARDS CONCORD.
No.
1. R. Freight IIo. of Railroad, B. 1881, and steam grist-mill, B. 1889.
2. Ij. TvOC. of Blacksmith’s shop, 1815-1880; also of Tan yards, a. 1765. These were on
the triangular piece of land enclosed b}’ roads.
3. R. Loc. of Ho. B. by Dr. Ebenezer Roby, 1725 (D. 1772, age 71). Dr. E. Roby, ,Ir.
(D. 1786, age 54). Dr. Joseph Roby to a. 1800. Wm Roby (1). 1814, age 48)
Joseph A. Roby to a. 1865. W. (1. Roby. Des. by fire 1887.
4. R. Ho. of Warren G. Roby (very near No 3). B. by him 1888.
5. L. Dr. E. Roby’s office with brick walls nearly in front of his Ho. B. prob. 1725.
Dem. 1860.
6. L. Loc. (nearly Opp. present Roby Ho.) Ho. and shop of Timothy Allen, — Tailor,
1830. Rem. to No. 5 Bridle Pt. road. Tailoring was T. Allen’s business occu-
pation.
7. L. Ivoc. of Alex’r Smith’s Ho., a. 200 feet S. of Reeves’ Ho. Dem. 1816.
8. L. Ho. of Mary E. Reeves. Henry Reeves, carpenter, B. by him 1816 (1). 1878, age
89).
9. L. Ho. of J. M. and H. D. Parmenter. Jona. 1). Parmenter (D. 1874, age 75). B. by
Jona. Parmenter a. 1775 (he 1). 1831, age 77). This estate has been kept in
the Parmenter name from John P., Sen., 1639.
10. L. Loc. of Benj. Ball’s Ho. a. 1756.
11. R. Loc. of Amos Abbott’s brick Ho., B. 1805 on corner of the roads. Dem. 1862.
(D. 1839, age 79.) This was the Ho. lot of John Rutter in 1639.
12. L. Ho. of E. French. S H. M. Heard, 1860. Geo. Heard, 1830. B. by Lewis
Abbott, 1818.
13. R. Loc. of Joseph Kendall's Ho. Dem. 1856.
14. L. Loc. of Eph. Staples’ Ho. at junction of the “Moore farm road.” Dem. a. 1812 by
irate citizens.
15. L. Before reaching the Bi'ook (L.) are clay pits where bricks were formerly made.
16. R. Brick school Ho. Originally B. 1805 on W. side of road; rebuilt a. 1825; C. H.
between Sch. Ho. and brook of Benj. Berry’s Ho. Des. by fire a. 1795.
17. L. Ho. of Luther H. Sherman. B. by Asahel Sherman, 1839. Loc. of old Ho. Des.
by lightning, 1838. Sam’l Sherman. Reuben Sherman. Prob. B. by Sam’l
Abbott.
18. L. Ho. of Geo. Enos Sherman. B. by John N. Sherman 1838. He Oc. 34 years.
19. R. Ho. of Edw. Carter. B. by Amos Carter, Jr., 1848 (D. 1878, age 71). Amos
Carter, Sen.’s Ho. stood a little S. E. from No. 19 (he D. 1868, age 87).
20. L. Ho. (corner of roads) of Wm. Johnson, James M. Sherman, Asahel Sherman, a.
1840. Wm. Allen. As a tavern, 1770-1790, by Luther Moore.
Leaving Concord road at No. 20 and continuing on the back road to near Sherman’s
Bridge, and thence to Concord road at No. 17. (Series continued.)
21. L. Ho. of Tho. S. Beilis. B. 1860.
22. L. Ho. of J. G. Sherman. Josiah Sherman (D. 1867, age 81). B. by Jona. Sherman
a. 1780 (D. 1842, age 79).
L. A short distance westerly C. H. ; Ho. of Jona. Sherman, Sen.
23. L. Ho. of Peter Underwood. B. by Abram Jenkins, or Jenkinson, a. 1770.
L. C. H. farther down the hill by a spring ; of unknown ownership.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
Ill
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
L. Ho. of widow James McDonald. Town’s alms IIo. 1831—1845. Enlai’ged by Eli
Sherman, 1810-1831 (D. 1861, age 72). B. by Eph’in Sherman a. 1755.
L. Ho. of Thomas Hoye. Maynard Sherman. B. by Reuben Sherman a. 1818.
R. Ho. of J. Fox. Joseph Moore, 1810-1825. B. by Eli Sherman, 1810.
R. Ho. (across the road to Bridge) of Jas. Garfield. B. by L. H. Sherman, 1860. He
lived there a. 7 years.
R. Loc. of Jno. Woodward’s Ho., near brook, 1720-1760.
R. Loc. of Eli Sherman’s saw-mill, a short distance up the brook, 1816-1825.
L. Ho. of Melvin Sherman. Calvin Sherman (D. 1875, age 63). Luther Sherman
(D. 1836, aged 55). Timothy Sherman (D. 1819, age 70); Prob. B. by Ed.
Sherman.
L. C. H. of Eph. Abbott’s Ho. His blacksmith shop was 0pp. Ho. and shop Dem. a.
1815.
R. Ho. late of Elisha Ellms (D. 1889, age 80). B. by him 1840.
C. H. nearly opp. No. 17. Sally Twist, Timothy Twist. B. by Abram Jenkinson
a. 1780. Dem. a. 1860.
NORTH SCHOOL HOUSE TOWARD SOUTH LINCOLN.
L. Ho. of P. McDonald’s heirs (he D. 1888). Jas. Adams, 1843-1860. B. by Benj.
Adams a. 1775 (D. 1843, age 92). Loc. of Bezaleel xMoore’s Ho. previous.
L. Ho. of G. W. Philbrick from 1865; Jonas Bennett, remodelled by him, 1855.
B. by Seth Adams a. 1790 (D. 1853, age 85). Previous to Adams the tan pits
on this place were owned and worked by Bezaleel Moore.
R. C. H. of Capt. Wait’s Ho., Des. by fire 1885; Jacob Ulman, 1865. B. by Capt. N.
Wade, 1856.
L. Ho. of Wm. Donovan. B. 1880.
L. Ho. of Samuel Watson. B. 1885.
ROAD FROM “THE PLAIN” TOWARD CONCORD.
R. Ho. (summer residence) of Rev. Brooke Herford of Boston from 1886. Remod-
elled by him. J. S. Draper, 1870-1886. B. by James. Draper, 1815 (D. 1870,
age 83).
L. Ho. of M. Rowan. B. 1864.
R. Ho. of widow R. Bryden. B. by Christopher Bryden, 1862. Loc. of old Ho.,
Dan’l Fegan, Stephen Roberts, 1835, Ira Draper, 1815 (D. 1844). B. b}'' Jas.
Draper, 1809. Loc. of an old Ho. of John Dean. Ho. (2d of the above) was
Des. by fire 1856.
At Ho. No. 3 a private way extends to the Right; at a. eighty rods, L., C. H. of Joseph
Dean’s Ho. Ten rods further on L., C. H. of “ Granny” Dean’s Ho. (Herbist);
and to the R. on E. side of “Grout’s Head” (a rocky hill), C. H. of James
Davis’ Ho. All Dem. a. 1809.
L. C. H. of Pelatiah Dean’s Ho., 1753. Dem. a. 1790.
L. C. H. of Dan’l Dean’s Ho., 1753. Dem. a. 1790. These two Hos. were located in
what is still known as the Pock-pasture ; called so for the reason that Ho. No. 5
was formerly used as a “pest Ho.” for small-pox patients.
C. H. of Tho. Allen’s Ho., a weaver, 1720-1785,
6.
R.
112
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
7.
R.
8.
R.
9.
R.
OLD
ROAI
No.
1.
R.
o
L.
3.
R.
4.
L.
5.
L.
6.
L.
t .
L.
No.
1.
R.
2.
R.
3.
R.
4.
R.
ROAD FR(
No.
1.
R.
L.
O
O.
R.
4.
L.
5.
L.
6.
R.
7.
R.
8.
Loc.
Ilo. of Dennis McDonald from 1862, M. M. Rutter, Jr., 1823-1835. Ebenezer
Staples B. the Ho. a. 1755 (D. 1806, age 72).
Ho. (corner of road to Weston) of T. Ooughlan from 1871; J. Jennison, 1870;
Natli'l Jennings, 1850. B. previous to 1810.
Dam and site of John Moore’s saw-mill, 1726. Was last used as saw-mill hy Sam’l
Sherman, 1810. S. S. Noyes, turning lathes, 1825-1830.
MOORE ESTATES, TO WAYLAND AND CONCORD ROAD AT NO. 14.
Cider-mill of Abel Glezen’s heirs. Back of this, 10 rods or more, Loc. of Brick
Ho., Proh. of David (Airtis. Dem. 1812.
Farm Ho. of the late A. Glezen. B. a. 1850.
Ho. of Tlio. Maynard. Lawrence. Previous Loc. of Isaac Gould’s Ho. Dem. a.
1812. Loc. of Capt. IMoses IMaynard's Ho. (1). 1782, age 85).
C. 11. (just before ascending the hill) of “ Foster Ho.” B. bj' Jacob Gould a. 1760.
Dem. 1828.
C. M. of John Moore’s Ho., 1811. Israel Moore (I), a. 1800). Sam’l Reeves.
Dem. 1826. This is believed to have been the Ho. spot of John Moore, 1643,
which he bought of John Stone (see map).
Ho. of Thomas Hynes, Jr. B. 1888.
Ho. of Thomas Hynes, 1870. David ^loore, 1865. Henry Sherman, 1833. B. by
Luther Gleason, 1822. Loc. of an older Ho. Back of this Ho., on a knoll, was
an Indian wigwam a. 1770 ; believed to have been the last one within the town.
ROAD FROM NORTH PART OF WESTON TO THE ABEL GLEZEN HOUSE.
Timothy Coughlau's Ho. on corner already described.
Ho. of Timothy Mulloy from 1877. James D. Walker (D. 1880, age 69). Daniel
Gritlin. Deacon Jona. Griffin. Prob. B. by Samuel Griffin a. 1720.
Ho. of Benj. i\I. Folsom from a. 1865. E. J. Giles. B. by Luther Gleason, 1806,
Previous Loc. of Ths. .Moore's Ho. a. 1720.
Ho. of Silas Barton, Andrew Pendleton. Loc. of old Ho., Ezra Hawkes, 1845,
William Sherman, 1813—1840. B. by Phinehas Glezen a. 1730.
3AI “Bigelow's corner,” over “the plain,” to the wayland and sudbury
ROAD between NOS. 31 AND 32.
Bigelow's Farm Ho. B. a. 1820.
Tower at top of the hill. B. b}- R. F. Fuller, 1860. It gives the name to the hill
and Railroad Station.
Ho. of Hazen Clement, 1890. James Coolidge, 1874-1889. F. T. Fuller, 1874.
R. F. Fuller, Esq., 1865. B. by Stephen Roberts, 1848.
Ho. of James Coolidge (enlarged 1890).
Tower Hill Station, Cen. Mass. Railroad. B. 1885.
Rice’s Dam at crossing of Brook, 1720.
Loc. of Corporal Stone’s Ho. a. 1721.
Elisha Rice,
1740. Prob. B. bv him 1703.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
113
9. R.
10. L.
lOi. R.
11. R.
12. L.
13. R.
14. R.
15. R.
16. R.
17. R.
17i. L.
18. R.
19. R.
20. L.
21. R.
22. R.
23. R.
24. R.
25. R.
27. R.
Ho. (summer residence) of Rev. Brooke Herford of Boston, 1886. B by James
Draper, 1815.
Loc., probably, of Henry Rice’s Ho. a. 1640, nearly opp. No. 9.
Loc. (on corner) of Allen Ho. Josiali Allen (I). 1821), Zecliariali Allen (I). 1776,
age 75). B. by John Allen a. 1720. It was a pest Ho. for small-pox 1776. Five
patients 1). and were buried in opp. coiner of lot. Ho. Dem. 1822.
Ho. of J. S. Draper since 1870. Benj. T. Reed to 1870. J. A. Draper to 1860.
B. by J. S. Draper, 1834.
Ho. (summer residence) of Frank. W. Draper, M. D., of Boston. B. by him 1889.
Residence of James S. Draper. B by him 1856.
Ho. of Miss Chai'lotte Adams. Joseph Wellington, Rev. E. H. Sears, 1847-1866.
J. D. (’hild, Ephraim Brigham, 1886. Brooks and Hemenway (painters), 1828.
Benjamin Sumner, 1820. B. by James Draper, 1820.
Loc. (near Adams barn) of Silas Flagg’s old Ho. James Sanderson to 1814. B.
by Amos Sanderson a. 1750. Dem. 1817.
Ho. Oc. by G. W. Thompson, Geo. A. Peck, John Moore to 1865; Silas Flagg to
1835. B. by J. Draper, 1817.
C. H. (just before the road curves to the right) of Eliab Moore’s Ho. (D. 1756, age
58). John Adams, a. 1697.
Clay pits. Bricks made veiy early ; and as late as 1819 (at foot of hill).
C. H. (about ten rods after crossing Mill Brook, and a little way up the hill) of
Bryan Pendleton’s Ho., 1639.
C. H. (a little farther on and higher up) of Thomas Noj^es’ Ho., 1639. These C.
IP’s are well defined.
Ho. of E. French (described elsewhere).
Loc. (depression) of John Ruddick’s Ho., 1639, afterwards of James Boutelle a.
1700.
Ho. of Josiah M. Parinenter. B. by Moses W. Parmenter, 1826 (D. 1844, age 67).
A few feet in front of this Ho. was Loc. of the Curtis Ho. Five successive
generations of the family are believed to have resided here in two successive
houses — the first one B. in 1639, and the last one Dem. a. 1819 — Col. David,
Capt. Joseph, Lt. Samuel, Epraim, and Henry Curtis.
Ho. of widow Abel Glezen (he D. 1890, aged 87). Reuben Glezen (D. 1825, age
51). B. by Nathan Glezen, 1803. About forty rods N. of No. 23 stood Capt.
Jona. Hoar’s Ho. and Blacksmith shop. Dem. 1803.
Ho. of George Glezen. Capt. Isaac Glezen (D. 1843, age 74). B. by him 1805.
Ho. of Abel H. Glezen. B by Phinehas Glezen a. 1835. On same Loc. was Ho. of
Wm. Revis, grave-digger, from 1755 to 1800.
Loc. (on side hill just before reaching C. A. Cutting’s Ho. on Wayland and Sud-
bury road) of Ho. of widow Shurcliff, 1^25. Widow Goodnow, 1820. Elisha
Merriam’s Ho. and cabinet-maker’s shop, 1790. Dem. 1825.
ROAD FROM
No.
“THE plain” at Adams’ house (no. i4) over “whale’s
WAYLAND AND SUDBURY ROAD AT WELLINGTON’S (NO. 22).
BRIDGE ”
TO
1. R. Loc. (a. 75 feet from the Bridge) of Joseph Parmenter’s Ho. ; very old when Dem.
in 1820. Prob. Loc. of Philemon Whale’s Ho , 1640 ; from whom the Bridge
took its name.
114
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
2. R. A few feet beyond the above Loc. stands the Ho. of widow John Bowles, old part
moved tliere 183d; new part B. 1886.
Passing the Parinehter IIo. (see Wayland to Concord, No. 9).
3. R. Loc. of the •• Old Parmenter Tavern,” ke|)t by Maj. Jona. Parinenter a. 1760-1775,
and originally by John Parmenter, Sed.', a. 1654. Dem. 1818.
4. R. School Ho. Rem. from “ The Street ” in 1854.
5. Ho. of widow Tho. Rutter. \Vm. Heard, 2d. (1). 1869, age 74). Prentiss Sherman
(1). 1851, age 57). B. by Elisha Rice a. 1800.
6. R. Ho. of Frank Moore. B. 1879.
7. R. Loc. of old Ho. back of large elm. F. Moore. Henry Sherman. Tho. Rutter
(I). 1846, age 37). Benj Rutter. B. Prob. by Tho. Rutter, Sen., a. 1720.
8. R. Ho. of James .\. Draper from 1860. L. 11, Drury (I). 1862, age 52) Win. Heard,
2d, a. 1825. Calvin Rice. Joseph Rutter, Jr. (D. 1821, age 68). J. Rutter,
Sen. (1). 1781, age 78). B. by him a. 1725.
SANDY HILL ROAD (GOING SOUTH).
This road was discontinued for public travel in 1880.
No.
1. L. Loc. (S. side of Railroad and within its limits) of Joseph Goodnow, Jr.’s Ho.
Dem. 1805.
2. R. Ho. of Frank Amnot, B. 1888.
3. L. Loc. of “Old Joe Goodnow's” Ho. Dem. 1790.
KO.\D FROM “ RIGELOW’S CORNER ” TO WAYLAND CENTRE.
No.
1. R. Ho. of Mrs. T. W. Bennett from 1887. vSam’l D. Reeves. Hervey Reeves. Joshua
Abbott a. 1832. Henry Flagg (store-keeper), 1832. David Swift to 1818.
Simeon Pratt (1). 1802, age 43). Josiah Knapp, 1792. Prob. B. by Wm. Barkei-
a. 1770. Loc. previous of Benj. Parmenter’s Ho.
2. L. “ Corner Tavern ” (see Taverns).
3. R. Small Ho. of Mrs. Bennett. Loc. of Blacksmitli shop in front.
4. R. C. H. of John Allen's Ho., 1790-1855. Nath’l Knowlton, 1780. Joshua Kendall a.
1775. Dem. 1863.
5. R. “ Sawin Ho.” S. I). Reeves. Joseph Sawin (carriage painter), 1865. Benj.
Sawin (carriage maker) to 1830. B by him 1799.
6. L. Ho. of widow J. McLane Hayward, M. D. (D. 1886, age 50). Widow Harriet S.
W3-man to 1876. B. b}^ Dr. Geo. Haj'ward, 1832.
7. R. Ho. of Wm. P. Bowles. B. by him 1890.
8. L. Ho. of Heniy F. Lee, 1890. Capt. Humphrey, 1888. Capt. Bickford, 1883. H.
Batchelder a. 1870. Isaac Warren (shoemaker), 1860. B. by J. L. Perkins,
1843.
9. R. C. H. of H. F. Lee’s Ho. Des. by fire 1889. H. L. Newton, 1884. H. R. Newton
(shoe business), (D. 1884, age 72). Enos Clapp, 1849. John W. Hayward, Esq.,
1832. Dr. Lemuel Hayward, 1799-1820. B. by Capt. John No^^es, 1778.
10. L. Ho. of Imminck Bros, from 1879. Edward Rice, Jr., 1879. B, by Dea. Edward
Rice, 1853 (he D. 1868, age 75).
11. R. Loc. (half way from No. 9 to Brook) of Jona. Gould's Ho., 1798. “Toddy” Par-
menter, 1785.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
115
12. R.
13. L.
14. R.
15. R.
16. R.
17. R.
18. R.
19. R.
20. L.
21 L.
22. R.
23. L.
24. L.
25. R.
26. R.
27. L.
No.
1. R.
2. R.
3. R.
4. R.
Ho. of J. Liiinehaii. B. by him 1877. Loc. of an old IIo. Saiii’l Baldwin, 1875.
Enos Clapp, 1865. Benj. Carter, 1830. Timothy Allen, 1820. Prob. B. by
John Parmenter a. 1780.
Loc. (up the hill slope) of E. Graves’ Ho. and Blacksmith shop (D. 1730, age 96).
Sam’l Graves a. 1753. Micah Graves (also blacksmith), 1798.
Ho. of Miss P. Maria Lee, 1891. B. by B. Benjamin (painter), 1888.
Half Ho. of Willard A. Bullard, 1890. Uea. Jonas N. Morse to 1890. Ephraim
Morse (D 1864, age 85). Wm. Wyman (miller), 1). 1829, age 74. B. by Capt.
Jonas Noyes (who D. 1775, age 37) a. 1759. The name of Richard Heard
(Capt.) is identified as owner of this Loc. at an early date.
Half Ho. of Sarah A. Morse. Sally Noyes from a. 1780 (D. 1863, age 92).
Ho. of widow Wm. Eagan, 1880. Michael Kernan Rem. it from No. 4 (Way land
and Sudbury road), ls38.
Ho. of widow Wm. Eagan. Rem. by M. Kernan from No. 2 (Wayland and Sud-
bury road) a. 1840.
Ho. (in ruins) of widow Wm. Eagan. M. Kernan (shoemaker) from 1835. Wm.
Brackett, 1796-1»25. B. by Joel Bent a. 1770.
Ho. of David H. Pierce from la79. Elizabeth Price, to 1879. B. by Wm. Bridge,
18..3.
Ho. of Sam’l D. Reeves from 1887. Horace Heard, 1887. B. by Jona. F. Heard,
1835. Loc. of Dan’l Lernard. Ho. Dem. 1830. B. Prob. by Benj. Poole
(tanner) a. 1740.
Loc. of Jeremiah Hawes’ Ho., 1820. Prob. B. by Wiley (tanner) a. 1759.
Loc. of LIo. opp. No. 22. John Brackett (shoemaker), 1820.
Ho. of Willard A. Bullard, remodelled 1889. Horace Heard, 1828-1888. It is
believed that some parts of the meeting house frame erected in 1687 were used
in the meeting house built in 1726; the material of which was used in 1815 by
Luther Gleason, Sen , and Jona. F. Heard for constructing a dwelling Ho., Store
and Town Hall, all in the same building now constituting the residence of Mr.
Bullard.
Ho. (opp. No. 24) of Daniel Coakley. Ira B. Draper, 1838 (I). 1885, age 71). B. a.
1812 by Prescott, tinsmith.
Ho. of widow John McClellan from 1880. Ira B. Draper’s shoe factory, 1870. B.
by Benj. Neally a. 1840. Was Loc. of Joel Damon’s hat-shop, 1825.*
Unitarian Church. B. 1814, dedicated 1815. Remodelled 1850. Public clock
made by Thwing of Hopedale, 1850.
NEW MILL ROAD FROM SAND HILL ROAD, TO NEAR “ WAYLAND INN.”
Ho. of Andrew S. Morse on hill E. of Mill Brook. B. 1889.
Ho. of Wm. Stearns. B. 1891.
Blacksmith and wheelwright shop. B. 1876.
Widow Jonas Bennett’s Ho. (see No. 6 Wayland and Sudbury road).
* A recent decision of the County Commissioners will probably cause the removal of Houses numbered 17, 18,
19, 25 and 26.
116
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
WAYLAND CENTRE TO BRIDLE POINT.
No.
1. R. Store of II. F. Lee & Sons (see Stores).
2. L. New livery stable. 15. 1889 by Orriii Loker (I). 18‘90).
3. L. IIo. B. by Capt. E. Pouslaiul, 1873. (Rented.)
4. L. Ho. of Theodore S. Sherman. B. by Capt. E. Pousland, 1873.
5. L. Shoe sho]) and store of T. S. Sherman (see No. 6 Concord road ). In 1738 the Loc.
now oc. by Loker’s stable and the Ponsland and Sherman houses was oc. by
James Brown’s tannery.
6. R. Ho. of J. H. Small (carpenter). B. 1885.
7. R. Ho. B. by H. B. Bramaii, 1887. (Rented.)
8. R. Ho. B. by H. B. Braman, 1887. (Rented.)
9. L. Ho. of Sam'l Russell (butcher). Charles Russell. Capt. Wm. Russell. Ho made
of cabinet maker’s shop (see 33, W. and S. road).
WAYLAND CENTRE TO SUDBURY, OVER “THE ISLAND.”
No.
1. L. Law office.
2. R. Ho. of W. B. Ward from 1843. L. P. Frost, to 1843. B. by James Draper, 1838.
3. R. Ho. of Marshall Russell. Wm. Stearns. Widow Josiah Russell. Was a school house
1808-1841. Remodelled for a dwelling Ho., 1842, by J. Draper.
4. R. T. S. Sherman’s Ho. (Rented). Was Rem. to present Loc. from No. 25 (front of
U. Church). Chas. Wesson, 1860
5. R. Blacksmith’s shop B. 1887. L. McManus.
6. L. Cart path and bridge over the Brook. To the left of the path, a. ten rods from the
Brook, is a depression of surface. Tradition declares this spot to be the Loc. of
Rev. Edmond Brown's Ho. in 1640.
7. R Ho. of S. Zimmerman. Chas. B. Heard. B. by Dea. Richard Heard (carpenter),
1842 (D. 1872, age 85).
8. L. After crossing the river, a. half way up the hill stood the Ho. of Richard Heard,
2d. B. a. 1801. (D. 1840, age 86.) Micah Cutler, a. 1830. Bought soon
after by Wm. Heard, Sen., and part of it Rem. to No. 11.
9. L. Ho. of Wm. T. Dudlej*. B. 1888.
10. R. Ho. of Daniel Bracket, Esq. Col. David Heard (D. 1881, age 86). David Heard,
Sen. (D. 1813, age 54). Capt. Richard Heard (D. 1792, age 72). B. by Jona.
Fisk, 1722.
11. R. Ho. of C. 11. Campbell. Wm. Heard, Sen. (drowned 1859, age 81). B. in part by
him a. 1832 (see No. 8).
12 L. At end of Lane turning to L. Ho. of widow Robert Erwin (he D. 1880, age 62).
I. M. Jones, 1853. Dea. E. Rice, 1840. B. by Tho. Heard, 1793 (D. 1819,
age, 69).
13. R. Ho. of Edwin Buckingham. Remodelled 1887. Abel Heard (D. 1884, age 89).
Zechariah Heard (I). 1823, age 71). Tho. Bent (D. 1775, age 69). B. by
Sam’l Stone a. 1715.
14. L. Ho. of Jas. C. Wade on W. side of Pelham Pond. Remodelled by him a, 1872. B.
by John Bacon (brick-maker) a. 1820.
Clay pits on W. side of pond extensively used for making brick during first part of
present century.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
117
No.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
Bigelow’s corner to framingham.
L. C. H. opp. “Corner Tavern.” T. W. Bennett, 1889. M. Ward, 1888. Widow
Lewis Dudley. L. D. was drowned 1838, aged 38. Warren Morse, 1802. B.
by Goodnow a. 1760. Dem. 1889.
R. “Corner Tavern,” owned by widow Tho. Burke (see Taverns).
L. Ho. of Edwin A. Dudley. B. a. 1850.
R. Ho. of P. Dolan. B. 1855. Loc. of old Ho. Widow of Jona. Underwood, Jr. ;
he D. 1820. Jona. Underwood, Sen., D. 1790. He Prob. B. the Ho. 1740.
R. Ho. of Win. P. Perkins, enlarged and remodelled by him 1880. Widow of Gen.
M. M. Rutter (D. 1868, age 83). Maj.-Gen. M. M. Rutter (D. 1837, age 58).
Front B. by him a. 1808. Nath’l Hasey Prob. B. liere a 1715.
L. On opp. corner (South) Ho. of Win. P. Perkins, remodelled by him 1874. Ed.
A. Pierce to 1874. North front B bj^ M. M. Rutter, Jr., a. 1828.
R. Ho. (brick walls) of C. Randolph. Was a school Ho. 1799-1840. IMade a
dwelling 1841.
L. Ofip. No. 7, up the lane at summit of the hill. Ho. of Win. P. Perkins, enlarged
and remodelled by him 1874. Win. Cushing of Watertown to 1870. Horace
Heard. B. by Capt. Charles Cutting, 1816, near the Loc. of the old Cutting
Ho., Dem. 1817. Capt. Isaac Cutting (D. 3 795, age 74). Prob. B. by Jona
Cutting a. 1700. Wm. P. Perkins, D. 1891, age 83.
R. Ho. of Jas. A. Thomas from 1886. L. Brooks to 1886. Dan’l Puffer (D. a. 1878).
B. by Marshall Stone (carpenter), 1812.
R. Temporary Ho. fitted up by C. W. Reeves, 1876.
R. Ho. of Chas. W. Reeves, remodelled 1875. Walter Reeves (D. 1872, age 81).
Jacob Reeves, Jr., Esq. (D. 1845, age 83). Jacob Reeves, Sen , enlarged the
Ho. and kept it as a Tavern from 1740 (closed to the public 70 years after. He
D. 1794, age 75). The oldest part of the Ho. B. by Matthew Hasey, Prob. a.
1715, still shows the original timbers finished into the rooms.
R. Ho. of Robert Cumming, remodelled 1889. Louis Buoncore, D. a. 1862. Isaac
Carver (carpenter), D. a 1847, age 65. B. the Ho. a. 1800. Loc. of John
' Tilton’s Ho. a. 1770. Sam’l Tilton, 1740.
R. On corner at “Five Paths,” Ho. of L. J. Bemis. B. by him a 1869 ; very recently
sold to party unknown.
R. On corner of lane leading to Right. Loc. of Ho. and Blacksmith shop of Josiah
Dudley. Dem. a. 1817.
R. Ho. of Nathan B Johnson. B. 1862.
L. Old Ho. of Whittemore Bros. Wm. Whittemore (D 1885, age 82). Josiah
Smith (D. 1868, age 82). Eph’m Smith (D. 1809, age 82). He Prob. B. tlie
north part of the Ho. a. 1745. The south part is reported to be much older.
R. Ho. of Wm. Whittemore, 2d. B. by him 1878.
Down the lane leading to the “Rice Spring” on the L is Isaac Whittemore’s Ho. B.
1888. A little further on to the R. stands the “ Old Rice Ho.” in ruins.
Edmond Rice, 3d, to near 1880. E. Rice, 2d (D. 1841, age 86). Builder and
date unknown. Edmond Rice, Jr. (D. 1796, age 71).
R. Ho. of Patrick Nolan. Widow Lewis Jones (he D. 1880, age 81). John Devan a.
1821. Hopestill Bent’s tavern, 1780, Prob. B. by Tho. Frink a 1720, or earlier.
118
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND,
20. R. IIo. of Samuel M. Thomas. B. 1839 on Loc. of old Ho. S. M. Thomas, 1830.
Oapt. J. A. Thomas (D. 1817). Josiah Thomas, Jr (1). 1819, age 45). Josiah
'I'liomas, Sen. (1). 1807, age 72), from 1795. B. by Jesse Eames a. 1760, or by
Beiij. Stone a. 1700.
21. L. Loc. of brick school-liouse, 1803 to 1858.
22. R. School-house. B. 1858.
23. L. II. of widow Tho. McCann. B. b}'^ him 1853.
24. L. C. HofJ M. Brummit’s IIo. Des. by fire 1890.
25. R, C. 11. of Richard Roby's Ho. (I). 1862, age 67). Dan. Moulton (1). 1845, age 82).
Des. by fire 1877.
26. R. Ho. of W. H. Clark. South front B. by him 1862. North front is part of the
“ Moulton Tavern,” open 1730 to 1805. Capt. Caleb Moulton, Jr. (D. 1821,
age 76). Caleb Moulton, Sen. (I). 1800, age 91). Prob. B. by him a. 1730.
27. L. Ho. of Waldo W. Kendall. W. 11 Clark B. by Win. Bradshaw (taxidermist),
1853.
Note. — The above three houses are located in “Happy Hollow.”
28. R. Ho. of Henry B Fischer. B. 1873.
29. R. C. 11. of Sam’l Ward’s Ho. a. 1870. Ebenezer Johnson (1). 1823, age 82). Des.
by fire a. 1870.
30. L. Ho. of D. F .Marrs ; remodelled 1873. Win. H. Hills, 1860. Wm. Johnson (D.
1844, age 48). Willard Goldthwait (I). 1835, age 45). B. liy Peter Johnson
a. 1785.
31. R. Ho. of Leander Hammond. B. by H. G. Hammond, 1872. Loc. of old Ho. Otis
Hammond. B. by Jason Dudley a. 1760.
32. L. Brick and stone Ho. of widow Michael Simpson. B. by him 1880. He died 1884.
33. R. Ho. of Miss Sanderson. Nath’l C. Dudley.
34. R. Ho. of IMrs. M. Simpson. Sani’l Clark. B. by Dr. Wiggin a. 1861.
35. R. Ho. of Mrs. IM. Simpson. Ephraim Farwell. B. by Purchase Stone (carpenter)
a. 1792. I). 1850, age 84.
ROAD FROM NO. 2o OF THE ABOVE TO STONES’ VILLAGE.
No.
1. R. C. H. of George M. Schell’s Ho. C. J. May. B. F. Smith. B. by William-
son, 1840. Des. by fire 1890.
2. L. Ho. of Alex’r Spear since 1872. Walter Stone (D. 1867, age 73). B. by Israel
Stone, 1831, on Loc of old Ho. Isaac Stone. Deacon Adams Stone. B. by
Dea. Matthew Stone, Prob. before 1700. He was the first of this branch of the
Stone family residing in the town.
3. R. Ho. of Conrad Homan. B. by Andrew J. Stone a. 1845.
4. R. Ho. owned by heirs of Walter Stone. B. by him in 1824.
5. R. Ho (near the Bridge) of Steven R. Adams. Aaron Stone (D. 1868, age 94).
Builder and date unknown.
ROAD FROM HOUSE NO S ON ROAD FROM “ BIGELOW’S CORNER” TO WAYLAND CENTRE,
RUNNI.XG SOUTHERLY TO DAMON’s CORNER.
No.
1. R. East or Rutter district school Ho. Moved to present Loc. 1854.
2. R. The Geii. Rutter Ho. (on corner), noticed elsewhere.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
119
3. R. The M. M. Rutter, Jr., Ho. (opp. corner), noticed elsewhere.
4. L. Ho. of widow Win. Videon (he D. 1887), formerly Ho. of A. Bigelow, Esq , in
Weston, moved to present Loc. by Capt. Chas. Cutting a. 1840 (he D. 1870,
age 80).
5. L. Town’s Ho. for paupers, B. 1888, near the Loc. of old Ho. on Town’s farm,
bought of Ctis Loker, 1845. Dea. Robert Cutting (D. 1820, age 77). Prob.
B. by Capt. Robert Cutting a. 1700.
6. L. Ho. of Cyrus Lee. B. by him 1850.
From No. 6 up the hill to the L. is C H. of an old Ho. Dem. 1887. Abel Rice, 2(1,
Abel Rice, 1st. B. by Thomas Corey a. 1800
7. L. Ho. in ruins. Abel Rice, 2d. Amos Ward a. 1830.
8. L. Ho. of Win. Ward. B. by him 1849.
9. R. Opp. No. 8 C. H. of old Ho. Clias. Underwood (mason) a. 1835. Benj. Under-
wood. Prob. B. by Tho. Pierce a 1700.
10. L. Ho. of widow Wm. H. Bemis. B. by him 1850.
11. R. Ho. of Sam’l M. Sanders. Marston Bros. H. F. Lee, 1881. B. by Cyrus Lee,
Sen., 1843 (he D. 1867, age 74), on site of old Ho. Cyrus Lee, Sen., from
1822. Aaron Rice (D. 1825, age 47). Isaac Rice, Sen. (I) 1820, age 71).
Prob. B. by Ephraim Rice (1). 1732, age 68). Thomas Rice.
12. R. Ho. of Josejjh Rice from 1837. Benj. L. Rice (D. 1837, age 50). B. by Isaac
Rice, Jr., a. 1775.
13. R C. H. Ezekiel Rice (D. 1835, age 93). Eliakim Rice. Prob. B. by Matthew
Rice a. 1660 (D. 1717, age 89).
14. R. Ho. of Mrs. Nellie (Rice) Fisk. George A. Rice (D. 1888, age 66). Sam’l Rice.
B. by him a. 1810.
15. R. Gate Ho. of Cochituate Water Works. B. 1879 on Loc. of Rice’s mill-dam, first
B. a. 1650.
16. R. Ho. of Newell F. Smith. B. by him 1889.
17. L. Ho. of Daniel Smith. B. by him 1884.
WAYLAND CENTRE TO COCHITUATE.
No.
1. R. Ho. of Capt. E. Pousland. B. by him 1866. Loc. of old Ho. Josiah Russell.
Samuel Russell, Sen. Capt. Thaddeus Russell (D. 1813, age 74). B. by Sam’l
Russell, Jr. (D. 1705, age 37). Loc. (a little to the S. W.) of John and James
Ross a. 1650-1750. The Brook near by was formerly called Ross’s Brook.
2. R. Orthodox Church. B. 1835. Vestry B. 1828.
3. L. Ho. of Emily A. Heard. B. by Horace Heard, 1840 (he I). 1890, age 85).
4. R. High School Ho. B. 1854.
5. L. Ho. of widow Henry Wight (he D. 1886, age 66). Rev. John B. Wight (1).
1883, age 93). B. by him 1815. Loc. of John Grout’s Ho. a. 1720-1725.
Prob. B. by Jona. Grout a. 1665.
The territory extending down between Mill and Pine Brooks was early known as
“ Farm End.”
6. L. Cemetery. Purchased by the town 1835.
7. R. Ho. of Joseph Bullard. B. 1870 on Loc. of old Ho. Joseph Bullard from 1827.
John Cutting (D. 1828, age 78). Prob. B. by Peter Bent a. 1710.
Note. — From No. 7 a road (now discontinued) branched to the left, wliere a cart path
120
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
still exists, ascending the Hill to a point near the Reeves’ Tavern. On this cart path is C. II-
of John Merriani’s Ho., 17-35-1795; and a little farther south Loc. of Joseph Wait's Ho. a.
the same period.
8. K. C. H. (on Ridge of Hill) of Royal Flint’s Ho. R. by John Shorey, 1866. Des. by
fire 1883.
9. R. C. H. of Ho. Des. bj" fire 1864. John Shorey. B. by Jothaiu Bullard a. 1802.
10. L. Loc. of Win. Jennison’s Ho. a. 1700.
11. R. Ho. (at foot of Johnson’s Lane) of Frank S. Johnson. Nathan S. Johnson (D.
1868, age 66). Dea. Wm. Johnson (I). 1828, age 53). Sain’l Paris, Jr. (D.
1817, age 58). Dea. Saiii'l Paris (D. 1759, age 56). Prob. B. by Noyes Paris
a. 1700.
12. L. Ho. of L. Bemis at “Five Paths” (already noticed)
13. L. Ho. (recentl}' bought by person unknown). David Smith, 2d (D. 1881, age 54).
David Smith (D. 1817, age 58). B. prob. by Capt. Joseph Smith a. 1740 (D.
1803, age 87).
Ho. of iMiss Lucy A. Dudley from 1871. Benj. A. Dudley from 1855. William
Bemis from 1839 (D. 1851). B. by Joseph Smith a. 1817 (D. 1835, age 43).
14. L.
Thomas J. Damon,
At the age of 70.
i
I
SUDBURY
IN THE
SETTLEMENT OF OTHER TOWNS.
CITIZENS OF THE TERRITORY NOW WAYLAND
IN THE
SETTLEMENT OF FRAMINGHAM.
The first settler upon Framingham soil, or what were then the “ wilderness lands ” on
the south, was John Stone, who moved from the territory now Wayland, and erected a house
at what was called “ Otter Neck,” on the west side of Sudbury River, in 1646 or 1647.
Mr. Stone purchased lands of the Indians in 1656 at the fMls of Sudbury River (Saxon-
vdle), and the land was confirmed to him by the General Court the same year, with fifty acres
in addition. The following is a portion of the deed given by the natives : “ This witnesseth
that illiam Bomaii, Capt. Josiah, Roger & James and Keaquisan now living at Naticke
the Indian Plantation neare Sudbury in the Ma.ssachusetts Bay in New England ffor and in
consideration of a valuable sume of Peage and other goodes to us in hand paid by John Stone
of Sudbury aforenamed to our full content & satisfaction : : : do give, grant, bargain and
sell : : : unto the said Jno Stone, his Heyres & assignes, a parcell of Broaken up and
ffenced in land lying on the South side of Sudbury line, upon the Falls of Sudbury River,
and bounded with the common land surrounding.” Ten names are affixed to the deed, and
the transfer was made the “15^’^ of: 3. mo. 1656.”
Another early settler of the “wilderness lands” south of Sudbury was Edmund Rice,
who. Sept. 29, 1647, leased the “ Glover Farm ” of President Dunster of Harvard College,
for a term of ten years. The “ Glover Farm ” was situated near Cochituate Pond and
belonged to the Glover heirs, for whom Mr. Dunster acted as guardian. (See p. 37.) By
the conditions of the lease he was to erect a house, the dimensions of which are given on
page 60, and also a barn of the following dimensions: “ Fifty long, eleven foote high in the
stud, one foote above ground, the sell twenty foote if no leantes or eighteen foote wide with
leantes on the one side, and a convenient threshing-floare between the doares.” (Barry’s
“ History of Framingham.”) These buildings, it is supposed, were located near Dudfey
Pond, and on that part of the “Glover Farm ” which, by an adjustment of the town bound
in 1700, came into the territory of Wayland.
Edmund Rice, by petitioning the General Court, became possessed of lands in the
present Framingham territory, that have been called the “Rice Grants;” and in 1659 he
gave the deed of a piece of land in that part of the town of Framingham that has been
called “Rice s End” to his son Henry, who built upon it, and who, it is supposed, was the
second person to erect a house on Framingham soil.
John Bent, son of Peter Bent, in 1662 purchased land of Henry Rice, westerly of
Cochituate Brook, and built a house there, “ near the fordway over that brook, on the west
side of the ‘ Old Connecticut Path ’ ” (Temple’s “ History of Framingham.”)
A part of the “Glover Farm,” upon the settlement of the estate, became the property
of Pii^cilla Appleton, one of the Glover heirs, and was known as the “Appleton Farm.”
In 1697 John Appleton and his wife Priscilla [Glover] Appleton sold the estate, then esti-
mated at about nine hundred and sixty acres, to three Sudbury parties, — Thomas Brown,
Thomas Drury, and Caleb Johnson, — for four hundred and forty pounds. The land was
subsequently divided among the three purchasers, and one hundred' acres of the part assigned
122
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
to ]\Ir. Drury was situated in what is now Wayland; and tlie middle portion, which consisted
of two hundred acres of upland, was assigned to Caleb Johnson, upon which he erected a
dwelling, where the Mars house stands.
In 1669 Thomas Eames, who the year before leased the “ Pelham Farm ” (the Island'),
built a house and barn on or near the southerly slope of Mt. Waite (South Framingham') ;
and one of his nearest neighbors at that time was probably John Stone, near the falls of
Sudbury River (Saxonville).
Others soon followed in the track of these bold pioneers, and aided in letting in the
light of civilization to the border lands on the south. The persons living along and beyond
the boundary line were called “Sudbury Out-dwellers,” or “Sudbury Farmers.” Tlie eccle-
siastical and social relations of these “Farmers” were for a time with Sudbury, and lliey
were expected to pay “rates” or taxes levied for objects the benefits of wliich tliey shared.
After the incor})oration of Framingham they became citizens of that town. They belonged
to the congregation that worshipped in the little hillside meeting house, and their wa}"^ to it
probably lay along the “ Old Connecticut Path,” through “ Happy Hollow,” to a point near
the “ Five Paths,” then, diverging to the left, followed the road that it is supposed was
opened soon after the settlement of the town from near the “ Rice Sjn-ing,” by Edmund
Brown’s house, over Mill Brook, along “ Bridle Point Ridge,” by the “ Parmenter Tavern,”
to the meeting house. The hardships endured by those thus isolated from the larger popu-
lation of the town can scarcely be conceived of in these days of easy transportation. But
hardship did not deter these brave men from their purpose, or drive them from their posts.
At the time of Philip's War it is supposed that the Stones, Rices, Bents, Eameses, and
Bradishes were the only English occupants of the Framingham plantation. The family of
Thomas Eames met with a sad fate. Feb. 1, 1676, when he was absent on a journey to
Boston for ammunition, they were attacked by the Indians, and all of them, except some of
the older ones, who were away, w'ere either killed or carried captive. His family consisted
of his wife and as many as six children of his own, besides four, as it is thought, who
belonged to his wife by a former marriage. Their ages varied from seven months to twenty-
four years. After the outbreak of hostilities the Colonial Council at Boston sent four
soldiers to guard the Framingham plantation settlers, and tw'o of these soldiers, it is stated,
were probably stationed at the Eames homestead. But “July 22^*1675 it was ordered that
tw'o of the four men ordered to guard Eames and the farmers, be forthwith and hereby are
remanded to guard Mr. Brown’s house [Rev. Edmund Brown’s, at Timber Neck, Sudbury;
see pp. 13 and 45] and the other two to remain as they are till the Court take further order”
(State Archives, LX VII., p. 226). Mr. Eames left his home the last week in January, and
shortly after, a band of eleven savages swooped down upon it. The mother and five children
w^ere slain. The family tradition states that the mother had declared she never would be
taken alive by the Indians; and that she bravely defended herself and her home, using hot
soap and such weapons as were at hand. Three of the children escaped from their captors,
and in the course of a few’ months returned to the settlement. One was with the Indians
who attacked Sudbury, April 21, and, according to tradition, reported that the Indians
suffered severely by the fire from the garrisons, and that an aged squaw lost six sons,
all of whom were distinguished warriors. The experience of another of the children
who escaped is thus stated in the “ Old Indian Chronicle,” page 258 : “ On the next day
(May 12) a youth of about eleven years made his escape from the Indians, who was taken
prisoner when his father’s house was burnt and his mother murdered on the 1®‘ of February
last : and though the boy knew not a step of the way to any English town, and was in con-
tinual danger of the skulking Indians in the woods, and far from the English, yet God
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
123
directed liim ariglit, and brought him to the sight of Plantain (the herb the Indians call
English hoot, because it grows only amongst us, and is not found in the Indian plantations) ;
whereupon he concluded he was not far from some English town, and accordingly following
of the plantain he arrived safe amongst us.” (Temple’s “History of Framingham.”)
Mr. Eames’ loss was estimated at X 330. 012.00.
CITIZENS OF THE TERRITORY NOW WAYLAND
IN THE
SETTLEMENT OF MARLBORO, WORCESTER, AND RUTLAND.
In the colonization of IMarlboro the east side inhabitants took a prominent part. The
names of Ward, King, Rice, Bent, and Maynard are among the petitioners for the tract of
country that, in 1660, ceased to be merely a plantation legally connected with Sudbury, but
by incorporation became at that time a town by itself, which was called “ Marlborrow.”
Worcester was early pioneered by Ephraim Curtis, whose heroic efforts to secure rein-
forcements for the Brookfield garrison, in King Philip’s War, have been mentioned on
page 45. In Fall’s “Reminiscences of Worcester” is the following concerning this inhabi-
tant of the town, the homestead of whose father was on the “North,” or “East,” street:
“It was in the fall of 1673, as near as can now be ascertained by tradition and otherwise,
that Ephraim Curtis, the first actual white settler, left Sudbury, with a pack on his back, a
long, light Spanish gun on his shoulder, with an axe in his hand, and set his face toward
Worcester, arriving, after two days’ travel, on the very spot still owned and occupied by his
descendants, on Lincoln Street, to the sixth generation. . . . Here Ephraim Curtis was all
alone in the wilderness for a year or more, and in subsequent times used to tell how, after
working all day. he would sit down and look toward Sudbury, and shed tears in spite of
himself. . . . Curtis and others (who had followed him) stayed in Worcester until driven
from there by the Indians in 1675. He left the spot which he attempted to settle to his
descendants, with no other personal memorials, it is said, than his gun and silver-headed
cane marked ‘ E. C.’ In his later life he returned to Sudbury, where he died at the age of
ninety-two.”
Other names familiar in the town are historically associated with the early inhabitants
of Worcester, and also in the settlement of Rutland, in the early history of which place
Sudbur}" citizens exerted a wide influence.
PAPERS, FACTS AND INCIDENTS
OF
PHILIP’S WAR.
1675-6.
4
HISTORICAL PAPERS.
The following papers, to which reference has been made as the “ The Old Petition,”
were discovered a few years ago by William B. Trask, Esq., and printed by the Historic
Genealogical Society under the title of Sudbury Documents. (Gen. Reg. Vol. XXXV., pp.
219-221). These papers are of great interest, as setting forth in the words of the town’s
people themselves the thrilling incidents of the memorable time referred to ; but they are of
inestimable value as settling the date of the “ Sudbury Fight ” at Green Hill between the
forces of Capts. Wadsworth and Brocklebank and Philip of Pokanoket: —
PETITION.
“ To ye Hon’^*® ye Governo'' Magistrates & Deputies of ye Gen* Court essembled at
Boston ye 11‘*^ Octob'^ 1676.
The hum***® Petitio’rs of yo"^ poore. distressed Inhabitants of Sudbury Humb*y Showeth
“ That whereas yo'' impoverished Petition^® of Sudbury have received intelligence of a
large contribution sent out of Ireland by some pious & well affected persons for ye reliefe of
their brethien in New England by ye hostile intrusions of ye Indian Enemy, and that upon
their divers distressed towns have presented a list of their losses sustained by fireing and
plundering their estates. Let it not seem presumption in yo'' poore Petition''® to p’sent a list
of what Damages are sustained by yo'' enemie’s in his attempts ; hoping that or lott will be
considered among Our brethren of ye tribe of Joseph ; being encouraged by an act of Our
HoiV*® Gen** Court; that those who have sustained Considerable damage should make
addresses to this p’sent Session. And is this not a reason for Our releife? Not onely by
reason of Our greate losses, but also for Our Service performed in repelling y® enemy ; let
y® Most High have y® high praise due unto him, but let not y® unworthy Instruments be
forgotten, was there with Vs any tovvne so beset since y® warr began with twelve or fourteene
hundred fighting men, various Sagamores from all parts with theire men of Amies & they
resolved by Our mine to revenge ye releife which Our Sudbury Volunteers affoarded to dis-
tressed Marlbrough in slaying many of y® Enemy & repelling y® rest. The strength of Our
towne upon y® Enemy’s approaching it consisted of Eighty fighting men. True many
houses were fortified, & Garrison’d & tymously after y® Enemys invasion & fireing some
Volunteers from Watertown & Concord & deserving Capt. Wadsworth with his force come
to Ou releife, which speedy & Noble service is not to be forgotten.
“ The Enemy well knowing Our grounds, passes, avenues, and situations, had near
surrounded Our town in ye morning early (Wee not knowing of it) till discovered by
fireing severall desserted houses; the Enemy with greate force & fury assaulted Deacon
Maine’s house well fortified yet badly situated as advantageous to ye Enemy’s approach &
dangerous to ye Repellant yet (by ye help of God) y® Garrison not onely defended y® place
fro betweene five or six of y® clock in y® Morning till about One in y® Afternoon but forced ye
Enemy with considerable slaughter to draw olf. Many Observables worthy of Record
hapened in this assault, vizt : that noe man or woman seemed to be possessed with feare ;
Our Garrisonmen kept not within their Garrisons, but issued forth to fight ye Enemy in their
skulking approaches: We had but two of Our townesmen slaine, & y* by indiscretion none
wounded ; The Enemy was by few beaten out of houses which they had entered & were
126
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
plundering, And by a few hands were forced to a riming fight which way they could ;
spoyle taken by them on y® East side of y® river was in greate p^® recovered.
“ Furthermore permit yo*" hum^*® Petition*'® to present a second motion, And let it be
acceptable in y® eyes of this Our Grand court Vizt: That whereas by an Act of Our late
Geid' Court ten rates are leavied upon Our towue amounting unto 200 lb ; as appeareth p
warrant from Our Treasurer, which said sum was levied by Our Invoyce, taken in y® yeare
before Our greate damage susteyned. It is ye humble & earnest request of yo*' Petition*'® to
commiserate Our Condition, in granting to us some abatement of y® said sum for y* ensueing
consideration, Vizt : ffirst Our towne to pay full for theire estates then taken which in greate
pte they have now lost by ye enemy’s invasion may seem not to savor of pitty no not of
equity. Secondly, ye service pformed at Sudbury by ye help of the Almighty whereby ye
Enemy lost some say 100, some 105, some 120, and by that service much damage prevented
from hapening to other places whereby ye County in Generali was advantaged, reason
requires some favorable considerations to ye servants of Sudbury.
“ For if it be considered what it hath cost Our County in sending out some forces some
of which p ties have not returned with ye certaine news of such a number slaine as with us,
is it not reason'®® that this service soe beneficiall should not be considered with some reward
which may most easily be essected [sic] by issueing forth an Act of yo*' grace in a suitable
abatement of ye said sum leavied.”
***********
[Signed.]
Edm Browne
Edm Goodnow
John Grovt [Grout]
John Haines
Josiah Haines
Thomas Read
Peter King
John Rvter [Rutter] Sen*'
Joseph Noyes
John Goodnow
Mathew Gibs
Thomas Wedge
Benjamin Crane
Zecriah Maynard
Joseph Moore
John Parminter
Henry Loker
Joseph Parmenter
Peter Noyes
Jonathan Stanhope
Edward Wright
Jabeth Browne
John Grout Jun*'
Joseph Graves
Tho Walker
John Blanford
John Allen
Henry Curtis
Jacob Moores
John Brewer
James Ross
Richard Burk
Thomas Brewer
Samuel How
ACCOUNT OF LOSSES.
Mary Bacon formerly ye Relict of Ensign Noyes
Thomas Plimpton
Deacon John Haines
130 : 00 : 00
180 : 00 : 00
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
127
£. s. <1.
Seg Josiah Haines
190 :
00 :
00
Capt James Pendleton
060 :
00 :
00
John Goodenow
150 :
00 :
00
William Moores
.180 :
00 :
00
Edward wright
100 :
00 :
00
Elias Keyes
060 :
00 :
00
John Smith
080 :
00 :
00
Samuell How
140 :
00 :
00
Mr Pelham
050 :
00 :
00
Mr Stevens
015 :
00 :
00
Corporall Henry Rice
180 ;
; 00 ;
: 00
John Allen
060 ;
: 00 :
; 00
James Roose
070 ;
: 00 :
; 00
John Grout juiP
060 :
; 00 :
; 00
Thomas Rice
100 :
; 00 :
; 00
Widd Whale
024 ;
; 00 :
; 00
Henry Curtice
200 ;
: 00 :
; 00
John Brewer
120 :
: 00 ;
: 00
Jacob Moores
050 :
; 00 ;
; 00
Henry Loker
100 :
: 00 ;
: 00
Joseph ffreemon
080 :
: 00 :
: 00
Joseph Graves
060
: 00 :
: 00
Peter King
040
: 00
: 00
Widd Habgood
020
: 00
: 00
Benjamin Crane
020
. 00
: 00
Thomas wedge
015
: 00
: 00
John Blanford
010
o
o
: 00
Thomas Brewer
010
: 00
: 00
Richard Burk
010
: 00
: 00
Thomas Reade
003
: 00
: 00
Wholl Sum
2707
: 00
: 00
Beside y® uncovering ye Many houses & Barnes & some hundred of Acres of lands
which are unimproved for feare of ye Enemy to Our greate loss & Damage.”
FACTS AND INCTDENTS.
The “contribution” to which the petition refers was called “The Irish Charity Dona-
tion” or “Fund.” The gift was made in 1676 for the benefit of the inhabitants of the
Massachusetts, Plymouth and Connecticut colonies who had met with losses in King Philip’s
war. It was sent over to this country by the “ Good ship called the Khthrine of Dublin,”
and is supposed to have been obtained by Rev. Nathaniel Mather, a brother of Increase.
The proportion received by Sudbur}^ was for twelve families, or forty-eight persons,
71. 4s. Od., and this amount was to be paid to the selectmen in meal, oat meal, and malt at
18d. per ball, butter 6d., cheese 4d. per pound.
Besides this allowance, “The court judged meet to order that Sudbury be allowed and
abated forty fower pound ten shillings out of ye whole sume of their ten county rates.”
(Col. Records, Vol. V., p. 124.)
128
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
In the list of losses are a dozen names, more or less, of persons supposed to be living on
the East side, and among them are Henry Curtice, wlio lost £200, Henry Rice £180, and
Henry Loker £100. These things indicate that devastating work was done on the East side
of the river by the Indians. Probably the dwelling houses and barns that were plundered,
and from which the spoil spoken of in the petition was taken, were set on fire. It is stated
that the Indians entered the northwest part of what is now Weston and burned a barn. If
such is the case, the probability is quite strong that along their course thitherward they
applied the torch to such buildings as came in their way. Thus, although tradition may be
silent, and the records may give no account of the specific places where the damage was
sustained, yet there is reason, from the statements now given, and the nature of tlie case, to
suppose that the hardship incurred on that memorable occasion was considerable. After the
invasion of Philip the meeting house was fortified, and March, 1676-1GT7, tlie town oialeied
“that the rate to be made for the fortification about the meeting house of this town shall be
made by the invoice to be taken this spring, leaving out all strangers and sojourners, and that
the logs there used be valued at two shillings six pence each, boards five shillings six pence
per hundred foot, and every man’s day’s work at 18d.” A little later, Feb. 26, 1676, it was
ordered, “ that such persons as have brought in logs for fortification of the meeting house do
bring in their account of logs, and all persons an account also for their days’ work done there-
upon unto the town clerk between this and the next town meeting, now appointed to be the
11th of March next, and such as do not shall lose both their logs and work, for the town will
wait upon them no longer.”
This statement is about all we have discovered upon the town books relative to King
Philip’s war. Several reasons may be given to account for this absence of records relating
to so important a period. One may be that anything official regarding military matters
would naturally be communicated to the Colonial Council, and not be a matter for town
record. Furtliermore, the period was short and the conflict sharp and severe, and there was
too much that was more practical to attend to at that time for any one to pause and preserve
for posterity in written form the thrilling details of those days. Besides, there was scarcity
of stationery; and had it been abundant, sentiment was not of a kind towards an event
which had caused such havoc and consternation in the town as to lead any one to wish to
keep vivid the story of it. In the long period of years that have passed, bringing with them
the events of the French and Indian wars and the protracted Revolutionary struggle, it is no
wonder that the traditions of Philip’s raid, as rehearsed by the old-fashioned fireside, should
at length be unspoken ; that the sites of ruined homesteads should no longer be pointed
out, and that the graves of those who fell in the fearful conflict should be unknown. Even
the grave of Asahel Reed, one of the two Sudbury soldiers slain on the memorable 19th of
April, 1775, is unmarked and unknown. Surely, for the fallen of a century before we
could expect no better fate. Tradition has kept alive information concerning the place of
sepulture of but a single one who fell in those times, and that is of an Indian whose lone
grave is just over the river near the “Gravel Pit.” A short time ago a white pine stood
near it. This Indian, it is said, was shot from a long distance by an Englishman on the east
side of the river. The Indian, thinking exposure from that long range to be safe, ventured
to appear in full view of the English, when a shot put an end to his rashness. The gun
used on the occasion is still in possession of the Morse family, Wayland Centre, being owned
by John Noyes Morse, a lineal descendant of “ Mr. Peter Noyes,” one of the town’s original
gi'antees. The gun is a long, heavy piece, such as is seldom seen in modern times, and would
require the strength of strong arms to steadily use it. Tradition says, with regard to the
Concord men who came to the town’s rescue, that one of them, viz., James Hosmer, an
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
129
ancestor of Dr. G. W. Hosiner, Ex-President of Antioch College, plunged into the Sudbury
River when he found it useless to resist the Indians, and that while endeavoring to escape to
the other side by swimming was shot through the head. It cannot perhaps be reasonably
doubted that the eleven Concord men slain on April 21st (see p. 15) were buried on the east
side of the river, on the upland near the “town Bridge.” Some of the names of these are
as follows: James Hosmer, Samuel Potter, John Barnes, Daniel Corny and Joseph Buttrick.
The Middlesex Probate Records have the following about James Hosmer, in connection with
the settlement of his estate : “ Being slayne in the engagement with tlie Indians at Sud-
bury on the 21st of the second [April] in the year 1676.” In the same Records are also the
following names of Concord soldiers slain at Sudbury on April 21st: David Curry and
Joseph Wheeler. The historian Hubbard says of the experience of the Concord company :
“ These men at the first hearing of the alarm, who unawares were surprised near a garrison
house, in hope of getting some advantage upon a small party of the enemy that presented
themselves in a meadow, a great number of the Indians who lay unseen in the bushes
suddenly rose up and, intercepting the passage to the garrison house, killed and took them
all.” The Old Indian Chronicle says “they were waylaid and eleven of them were cut off.”
As these men were slain on the river meadow near the old Haynes garrison house, and as it
was high water at that time, and the bodies the next day were taken from the flood and
carried in boats to near the town bridge and buried, it is rendered quite probable that when
this company of brave men found resistance useless, and that it was impossible to reach the
shelter of the Haynes garrison house, they took to the water, hoping, like Hosmer, to reach
the east side by swimming, but were stopped by the murderous fire of the foe. The bodies
were buried on the morning of the 22d of April, after having remained in the cold flood all
night. Two of the party who helped in the work of burial were Warren and Pierce of
Watertown, and the following is their description of the service -as given in a petition sent
by them to the General or Colonial Court : “ On the next day [that after the Sudbury
Fight] in the morning, so soon as it was light, we went to look for the Concord men who
were slain in the river meadow, and there we went in water up to our knees, where we found
five, and we brought them in canoes to the bridge foot and buried them there.” Perhaps
those bodies were buried on the east side of the river because it was considered unsafe to
land them on the west side and remain there sufficiently long for the work of burying them,
as on the early morning of the 22d it was not definitely known by the east side inhabitants
that the Indians had taken their departure from the town. If the bodies were to be buried
on the east side, it was natural that they should be conveyed directly to the town bridge and
there buried on the hard upland near by. There was no time for conformity to sentiment or
custom. All was uncertainty as to the plans and whereabouts of the enemy. They might
spring upon them from the west side at any moment, and to convey the five bodies to the
town’s burying ground would doubtless be considered quite impracticable. Hence their
grave by the “old town bridge.” It is quite probable that a part of the east side inhabit-
ants sought shelter upon the Indian invasion at the garrison house of “ Deacon John Haynes.”
The little stockade of Rev. Edmund Browne (see p. 45) would not be as conveniently situated
to some living in the northerly and easterly parts of the town as the Haynes House. As
tradition, so far as we know, has not definitely passed down any information relating to
garrison houses on the east side of the river, we think it quite probable either that the com-
munity considered things safe on that side, prior to the hostile outbreak, or placed their
reliance on the farm houses that had been fortified on the more exposed side of the river.
The fact that Rev. Edmund Brown began to fortify his house at “Timber Neck,” after
danger was immediately impending, may be a circumstance that indicates that few houses
130
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
were prepared for attack on the east side, and that he fortified Ins liouse to afford a place of
refuge to all persons in that part of the settlement. There was perhaps a stockade made
there of stout timberwork, with port holes at \Wiich the sentry could stand and a stout
defence be made.
Of the six names of persons who, Nov. 22, 1675, were reported to the Governor and
Council by John Grant, Josiah Haynes and Edmund Goodnow as being men who were
impressed into the countr3’’s service to meet the town’s quota, two are the familiar names of
Thomas Rutter and Peter Noyes, Jr.
MODES OF TRAVEL,
PUBLIC HOUSES,
AND
TEMPERANCE.
WAYSIDE INN AND THE ANCIENT OAKS.
Sudbury.
(View Irom the easterly.)
From massive cliimiieys, stout amt gray.
The smoke-wreaths curling crept
Amid the o.aks that night ami <lay
Their faithful vigils kept.
The stage-coach passed along (he road
The post-liorn rent the air ;
The teamster stopped his heavy load
To find refreshment there.
lint times have changed, and now the Inn
.Stands by the way-side ione,
A souvenir of years gone by.
Of grandeur that has tiown.
J/oine MelixUes.
MODES OF TRAVEL, PUBLIC HOUSES, AND TEMPERANCE.
STAGE COACHES.
Great changes have taken place in many of the country towns of New England as
relates to the manner of public conveyance, and Wayland is no exception. Witliin the
memory of present inhabitants stage coaches regularly passed through the town, and the
public depended on them as the means of carrying passengers and the mail and attend-
ing to matters of expressage. But the stage-coach business of modern times will not
compare with that which began towards the closing decade of the last century, and contin-
ued about fifty years.
During that time the stage coaches carried the mail, and travel made its way through
the place, and, passing on through Marlboro and Northboro, eventually found an outlet in
the large towns of central Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. Stirring scenes were
then witnessed along the country highway, the taverns were in a high state of prosperity,
and the now staid, quiet village or hamlet was a lively place, where the smith and shoe-
maker had plenty to do ; and the small grocer whose orders were slipped into the coachman’s
hand could have the goods delivered by the white canvas-topped market wagon that passed
by his door.
There were several important stage lines that radiated from Boston at an early date, but
none that were earlier or more important than that which started from the stables on Elm
Street, and, passing over West Boston Bridge, went through Cambridge, 'Watertown, Wal-
tham, Weston, East Sudbury, Sudbury, and on to Worcester. During the earlier part of
the period mentioned there were several important lines of coaches on this route. The road
was open to all who wished to engage in the business, and as various parties made ventures,
proprietorship often changed hands.
From about 1820 to 1835 there were three or four pretty well established lines that
made five trips per day each way. Two of these were mainly owned and controlled for a
time by Maj. Joseph Curtis and Gen. M. M. Rutter, both of East Sudbury.
These lines were run by two relays of horses, — the first from Boston being at East
Sudbury, and the other at Northboro. The stage taverns at the former place were “ Peck’s
Tavern ” and the “Corner Tavern.”
March 7, 1806, the “Worcester Turnpike Company” was incorporated. This corpora-
tion was authorized to construct a highway or turnpike from Roxbury to Worcester, by way
of “the neck of the pond in Natick,” and was given the privilege of erecting toll-gates and
charging travelers a certain amount for the use of the road. The building of this new high-
way considerably shortened the distance from Boston to Worcester, yet, notwithstanding
this, the old stage route mentioned continued to be the all-important way of travel to the
west and south, until the opening of the Boston & Worcester and Boston & Providence rail-
roads in 1835.
From the “corner” a line of stages passed over a more southerly route for several years,
going through a part of Framingham and Southboro to Worcester.
The last regular stage through Wayland was what was for years known as the “Sud-
bury, Wayland, and Weston” stage coach. It started from South Sudbury at seven o’clock
in the morning, and returned at the same hour in the evening. Thaddeus Moore was the
132
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND,
driver and proprietor for over twenty years. The stage was drawn by four horses, and car-
ried the mail, and only ceased running when the railroad accommodations promised to be
permanent.
The old stage coaches were usually drawn by fonr or six horses, and would seat nine or
ten passengers inside, and a half dozen on the outside. They made a halt at tlie various
“Ordinaries” or “Inns,” where the horses were watered, “baited,” or “changed,” and the
passengers had opportunity to stretch their limbs and find refreshment from the well-stocked
larder of the old-time kitchen or warmth at the wide fireplace of the bar-room.
Their arrival was sometimes announced by the sound of the post-horn, and this was the
signal for “ mine host ” to prepare for the reception of guests, and foi- the postmaster to get
ready the mail-bag. The passage of these coaches through the town served the people as a
time ma'rk, and greatly enlivened the scenes by the wayside.
Besides the stage coach business, there was a vast deal of what was called “ heavy
teaming” along the “great roads,” as the more prominent highways were termed. Tlie large,
white canvas-covered wagons of the marketers were once a common sight. To these wagons
two, three, or more horses were attached, and they were laden with the produce of the “ up
country” farms, which was placed in charge of the teamster, who was “going down,” as
going to Boston was familiarly called. Ox teams, drawn by two or three “yoke of oxen,”
were often used for conveying the heavier merchandise, such as wood, haj^ cider, apples, &c.
PRIVATE CONVEYANCES.
The public vehicles for passengers and freight have undergone no greater change than
have the private carriages, — the old-fashioned chaise, with the C spring and thoroughbrace,
and the familj^ carriage, with the grasshopper spring. Before carriages came into general
use, which was near the beginning of the present century, the pillion was used for travelling
on horseback, and the pannier for small freights. The following is from a manuscript writ-
ten by Mrs. Israel Haynes of Sudbury about 1864, when at the age of eighty: “They used
to ride horseback to meeting, have a saddle and pillion ; the man rode forward, tlie woman
behind. Sometimes go to visit their friends forty miles and carr}' two children. They went
to market horseback ; had a wallet made of tow cloth left open in the middle, on a pair of
panniers made of basket stuff. The women went as often as the men. They swung the
wallet over the horse’s back, put in their boxes, each swung so as to balance, then the pan-
niers [were] fixed on behind filled with pigeons or something else. ... I don’t remember
of there being any thing that could be called a carriage seventy years ago.”
The changes that have taken place in the methods of travel and conveyance have been
gradual. One by one carriages came into use, until horseback-riding was the exception.
Gradually horses came to be used in place of oxen ; and while a half century ago every
farmer kept one or more “yoke of oxen” or “steers,” in the last decade perhaps not a
half dozen could be found in town. About a dozen years ago the bicycle came before the
public, followed by the tricycle. These, for the past two or three years, have frequently
been seen on the streets, and have been used for practical purposes as well as pleasure.
RAILROADS.
The day of railroads in Wayland, although late, dawned at last. As early as 1843 a
railroad was chartered and laid out from Framingham, to connect with the Fitchburg road
at Stony Brook, and the citizens of Wayland subscribed very liberally to its stock. Another
act of the town that shows its friendliness to this means of progress is a vote passed in 1873,
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
133
two hundred and one to forty-eight, to subscribe for one hundred and fifty shares of the
stock of the Hopkinton Railroad, in aid of an extension of that road through Cochituate and
Wayland Centre. But the great railroad achievement of the town was the completion and
putting into permanent running condition, of the Massachusetts Central, now known as the
Central Massachusetts. The commencement of this enterprise was practically in the year
1868, when the Wayland & Sudbury Railroad was incorporated. This road was to run from
Mill Village (South Sudbury) to Stony Brook, on the Fitchburg Railroad. In 1869 this act
was superseded by the incorporation of the Massachusetts Central. The company voted to
issue $-3,000,000 capital stock. The work of constructing the road was commenced, but
various obstacles interrupted the progress of it for some years. In 1880, Ex-Governor
Boutwell became president of the road, and was succeeded in 1882 by Hon. S. C. Aldrich,
of Marlboro. In 1881, the road was opened from Boston to Hudson, a distance of twenty-
eight miles, and in 1882 to Jefferson, a distance of forty-eight miles. (See p. 29.) Mr.
Norman C. Munson, the contractor, succeeded in keeping it in operation about two years,
when he was obliged to stop. In 1883, the road was reorganized, and shortly afterwards
was leased to the Boston & Lowell Railroad Company, and completed to Northampton. It
is now under lease to the Boston & Maine corporation, and through trains are running over
it daily between Boston and Washington and Boston and Harrisburg.
TAVERNS.
The vast amount of stage-coach business, and the extensive conveyance of freight along
the “ great roads ” or main thoroughfares in part occasioned the establishment of the old-
time taverns. These places of “ entertainment for man and beast ” formed an important
feature in the history of the town a half century ago and earlier, and were objects around
which clustered associations, both of a social and moral character, that it has taken years of
new customs and methods to even partially efface. In external appearance there was no
peculiarity about them ; there was no typical building in which they were kept. The inn
may have originated in a farm house, and the landlord may at the outset have been a plain
farmer of enterprise, who, in order to increase his scanty income, and support the large
family of those old-fashioned days, petitioned the court for a license to keep a public house.
An increase of business may have led him to enlarge his domicile by the addition of a leanto
on the rear, the projection of an L at the side, and the luxury of a porch on the front. But
the inside of each well-kept ordinary had the unmistakable characteristics by which it was
easily distinguishable from any other house. It had its large kitchen and ample dining-
room, and sometimes a dance-hall; but the prominent feature was the bar-room. This was a
purely democratic place, and the village squire or the itinerant tramp, “traveler,” as he
was called, found welcome there, and had their claims allowed, so long as the pennies
held out. It was a place for the preliminary parish meeting, or for the outline business of a
political caucus. The bar-room gossip might turn the result of a militia election or the decis-
ion of the county commissioners. Merry were the motley groups of story tellers as, gathered
from various places and on a vaidety of errands, they sat about the bar-room fireplace, with
its broad, blazing hearth, and talked into the night’s small hours, or beguiled the monotony
of a cold, wet day. Some of these taverns were provided with large stabling capacit5\
Besides the barns that were furnished with numerous stalls, there were usually adjoining
sheds supplied with feed troughs. The barns were provided with driveways, under which
the wagon could be driven for shelter.
The landlords were usually men of consequence, and sometimes were local celebrities.
Three of the innholders of the town are known to have been deacons in the church. John
134
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
Parmenter, Sr., who in 1653 or 1654 was licensed to keep a house of common entertainment,
was second deacon in the Sudbury church, and one of the town’s selectmen. “Squire
Jake,” the last landlord of the ancient hostelry known as “ Reeves’ Tavern,” was also a
deacon, and for manv years a representative to the General Court, and Dea. Sewall Baldwin
built the Baldwin Tavern. Other names, as those of Curtis, Stone, Bent, Heard and Rice,
are of old families of the town.
With the decline of staging and heavy teaming, and the inauguration and development
of the temperance reformation, the tavern business began to decline also, and to be less and
less popular and profitable. One by one the old inns were discontinued, until not one is left
on the central highway through the town.
But, although the taverns have disappeared, the localities and sites of some of them are
still known, and the following facts, additional to what have been presented in the historic
narrative, are given relative to them.
“THE CORNER TAVERN.”
About 1765 an inn was opened at “ Wayland and Weston Corner” by Nathaniel Reeves,
in a house that had been moved there, and on wliich alterations and additions were made
from time to time. It was the first public house where a change was made in the horses
employed on the stage route from Boston to Worcester, and in 1820, it was the largest one
in town, in point of size. It had large stabling capacity, and a large dancing hall. As
accessions to this hostelry, were a harness shop, carriage and paint shop, blacksmith’s shop,
and a grocery store with a dry goods department connected with it. In 1822, Gen. M. M.
Rutter built a commodious stable at the corner, the dimensions of which were thirty-six by
seventv-two feet. The following persons were Mr. Reeves’ successors as proprietors : John
Flagg, John T. Macomber, Leonard Wood, and Thomas J. Thompson. It was closed as a
public house about 1850.
“THE PEQUOD HOUSE.”
The next tavern on the Boston and Worcester road through Wayland, passing westerly,
was at the centre, and long known as the “ Pequod House.” It was kept open as an inn,
until recently, since 1771, which date was long seen upon its sign. It w'as built by Elijah
Bent, and in 18:.5 it was altered and repaired ; a story was added to the main building, and
a long L, wliich was furnished with a hall. In 1887 it was again somewhat changed, and put
in condition to receive summer boarders. Of late it has been still further improved by
Willard Bullard, its present owner. The following are persons who have been owners or
occupants of this inn: Elijah Bent, Elijah Bent, Jr., Col. David Curtis, John Stone, Edward
Walcott, Joshua Walcott, Daniel Leonard, Heard & Reeves, Asa Wheeler, Peter Rice, Samuel
G. Fessenden, Miranda Page, William Parker, Samuel Carruth, Thomas Simpson, Davis,
Orin Loker.
“THE STREET TAVERN.”
A tavern was once kept at the bend of the road beyond the Lydia Maria Child place
(C. A. Cutting’s). It was of some importance, and was kept at one time by Asahel Good-
now. Afterward it was kept by Nathan Bent and Rufus Bent, about 1775. It has been
called the “ Street Tavern.”
“THE BALDWIN TAVERN.”
The Baldwin Tavern stood a little southeasterly of the present William Baldwin place,
and about an eighth of a mile from the “Town Bridge.” It was built in 1745 by Dea.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
135
Sewall Baldwin, and was kept as an inn by his son, Col. William Baldwin. The building
was destroyed by fire in 1836, and the cellar walls may still be seen to the right of the
road going westerly.
There was a tavern at the west end of the “Long Causeway,” in the territory now
Wayland, which was built about 1820. It was mainly for the accommodation of the stage
route, and was kept by a Mr. Peck. Soon after the opening of the Boston & Albany Railroad,
the building was taken down, and moved to the head of “ Waltham Plain,” where it was
reconstructed ; but it was soon after destroyed by fire. Other persons who have kept tavern
near the “Gravel Pit” are Caleb Wheeler, Abel Cutler, Carter. The “Caleb Wheeler”
Tavern was kept by Mr. Wheeler during the Revolutionary War, and the building used was
more recently known as the Thomas B. Battles place. It was destroyed by fire a few years
ago. Without doubt the patronage of this tavern was increased by the activity in the vicinity
occasioned by the “government storehouses” at “Sand Hill.” Heavy teaming to and fro,
and the coming and going of those who guarded these stores, or had official charge of them,
would naturally make the hamlet at the “ Gravel Pit ” a lively place.
Other taverns were kept in various parts of the town. One called the “Moulton Tavern,”
was for several years kept in the locality called “ Happy Hollow.” About the middle of the
eighteenth century the proprietor was Caleb Moulton, who was succeeded by his sqn. Caleb
Moulton, Sr., is probably the same one who is mentioned as captain in the war of the Revo-
lution.
An inn called the “Noyes House” was kept, as is supposed, about 1790, in what is now
Cochituate Village. The house stood on the corner, until the building of the A. B. Lyon
house, and at the spot in front of Mr. Lyon’s residence. The landlord was Nathaniel Reeves.
“THE REEVES TAVERN.”
The Reeves Tavern (see p. 56) was kept by Jacob Reeves, Esq., from about 1783 to
1820, and among his predecessors was Jacob Reeves, Sr., Jackson, and Hasey. A present
occupant and owner is Charles W. Reeves.
(For the “ Parmenter Tavern,” or the “ Parmenter Ordinary,” see p. 55.)
A tavern many years ago was kept in the northerly part of the town, near the Lincoln
and Wayland boundary line ; also easterly of the L. M. Child place, near the junction of the
south street and that running northerly by the Gleasons.
A tavern called the “ Bent Tavern ” was kept in 1710 by Hopestill Bent, at what has
been known as the Lewis Jones place.
The taverns were to an extent under the control of the town officials, as is indicated in
a record of Oct. 4, 1684, when it was ordered that upon the “ uncomfortable representations
and reports concerning the miscarriage of things at the ordinary three or four of the select-
men, in the name of the rest, do particularly inquire into all matters relating thereto.” The
licenses were granted by the court, and laws existed relating to the rights of both landlord
and guest. The following rates were established by the town in 1779 for innholders; they
were in depreciated currency, which was worth in the ratio of twenty shillings in paper to
one shilling in silver : “A good dinner 20. Common dinner 12. Best Supper and Break-
fast 15. Each common do. 12. Lodgings 4. Horse keeping 24 hours on hay 15, on grass 10.
A yoke of oxen over night 15.”
“West India Rum per gallon 6-9. Mugg West India Phlip 15. New England do. 12.
Toddy in proportion.”
136
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
TEMPERANCE.
About the time that staging and heavy teaming began to decline, the temperance reform
set in ; and as this also has affected the innholders’ business, it may be proper in this con-
nection to give a few facts concerning it.
From early times the principle and practice of total abstinence has had some few advo-
cates in most or all of the New England towns, but towards the middle of the present cen-
tury it was brought to the front, and rapidly gained adherents. Temperance societies were
formed ; cold water bands, pledges and badges, were made use of, and the subject was dis-
coursed upon and discussed in the pulpit, on the platform, and by the fireside. Previous to
this time it was the custom for almost everybody wlio could get spirituous liquors to drink it
to some extent. It was not considered a disgrace to drink, if one did not get drunk ; and
the drunkard, not the moderate drinker, was held up as an example to be shunned. On
public occasions alcoholic liquor was always provided. It was used at dedications, ordina-
tions, and funerals ; and whether the event to be observed was one of gladness or sadness,
strong drink was supposed to be indispensable. The grocer kept it as a common commodity,
and the farmer went to the store for his supply of New England or West India rum as regu-
larly as for other articles of household use. In the' old records strong drink is mentioned as
an item of expense, to be met by the town, when it was used in connection with public
service. In 1729 there is a record of payment, “To David Baldwin for frame of Bridge 37
pounds ; to twelve men to raise said bridge who went into ye water 3 pounds, for drink &c
os — Id.” In 1759 the following record is made in the town book : “ To Caleb Moulton for
material for new bridge and 5 quarts Hum 2 — 11 — 3.” In 1747 there is the record of pay-
ment, “To Mathew Gibbs for rum and for raising Lanham Bridge 12 shillings.” Besides
the use of distilled liquors, malt beverages were also used, and repeated mention of malt is
found on the early records. There were malt houses at various points, to which the farmers
carried their barley to be malted. Within the recollection of the writer one of these build-
ings was still standing in South Sudbury, though in a very dilapidated condition. When, in
1688, Dea. John Haines made a contract with the town to build a meeting house, he was to
receive malt, among other articles, for payment. (See p. 47.)
Another of the milder forms of spirituous liquor in common use was cider. Only
a few years ago cider mills were common. As a large share of the apple trees were
ungrafted, cider was supposed to be about the only use to which the fruit could be put; and
hence the farmer relied upon it very much, and vast quantities were manufactured at these
mills. It is stated that New England families, one hundred years ago, would use two hun-
dred, and sometimes as many as four hundred, or even more, gallons of cider yearly. The
mug was generally on the table at meal time, and always on the sideboard, or at hand ready
for use. When a caller came in, it was offered as the usual drink; and if it was unusually
sour, or “ hard,” as the term was, and the quality was suggested to the guest, it was custom-
ary to make the polite response, “ It is harder where there is none.” The common price
charged the farmer for the use of a mill was eight cents per barrel of the cider made. The
market price per barrel for cider was from one to four dollars.
When the temperance movement was fairly inaugurated, a change began to be wrought
in the drinking habits of the people. Many signed the total abstinence pledge, and the
masses of the average community of Middlesex County began to look with disfavor upon
even the moderate use of intoxicating beverages. Soon public sentiment found expression
in resolutions and open enactments. Nov. 12, 1833, the following was subscribed to by
ninety-eight citizens of East Sudbury : —
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
137
Resolved, That it is becoming every person in a moral and religions community entirely to abstain from the
use of spirituous liquors, and to use his influence by his own example and advice to recommend like abstinence to
others.
Itesolved, That it is expedient, and that it is the duty of every good citizen, to discountenance the sale of ardent
spirits, and to give encouragement and support as far as practicable to those grocers and innholders who do not sell
spirituous liquors.
By 1843 the town had so far progressed in the direction of the great reform, that in
that year approbations for “license to sell intoxicating liquors were first refused by the town
of Wayland.” At the present time, as has been the case for years, “licenses” to liquor
dealers are withheld. In the great struggle of 1889 for an amendment prohibiting the
manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor, the town of Wayland voted “yes,” thus putting
itself on record as being of the progre.s.sive element in the great cause of temperance refor-
mation.
BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, AND MEADOWS
OF THE
SUDBURY RIVER.
From a Photograph by A. W. Cutting.
THE OLD TOWN BRIDGE.
Tlie tirst ‘-oari liridge” in Suilliury over tlie river was built at this spot about 1(143, ami the
structure then erected is said to have been tlie first frame
bridge in Middlesex County.
The settlers came ; they spanned the stream
With (juaint old bridge of massive beam ;
And through the years that since have rolled,
A bridge has cast its shadow cold
From bank to hank, where dark and slow
The Musketahquid’s waters flow.
Home Melodies.
BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, AM) RIVER MEADOWS.
Although mention has repeatedly been made in the liistoric narrative of the river and its
bridges, causeways, meadows, &c. (see pp. 1, 7-8, 34, 59-GO, 72-3), we give the following
additional facts and features relative to these subjects.
CAUSEWAYS.
The strip of highway extending from the “Old Town Bridge” to the western upland,
in the direction of the “Gravel Pit,” was early called the “Long Causeway.” This was
the first artificial crossing over the broad meadow land, and is probably almost or quite as
old as the bridge itself.
In 1645 it was ordered “that <£20 should be alowed y® town of Sudbury toward y® build-
ing of their bridge and way at y® end of it to be paid y™ when they shall have made y® way
passable for loaden horses, so it be done w^^ in a twelve month.” (Col. Rec., Vol. II., p. 102.)
In 1653 speedy measures were to be taken by the town to repair the causeway and high-
ways.
In 1710 the town voted to petition the General Court to make the long causeway a
county road.
In 1714-15 it was requested “ to see what method the town will take for mending and
raising the causeway from the Town Bridge to Lieut. Daniel Haynes.”
June, 1720, “it was requested to see if the town will raise the causeway from the Gravel
Pit as far as Capt. Haynes’es old place, proportioned to the afoi’esaid Long Causeway when
mended.”
In 1756 a proposition was suggested of raising money by means of a lottery to repair the
“long causeway from the town bridge to Lieut. Benjamin Estabrook’s.” It then “passed
in the negative ; ” but in 1758 the proposition came before the town to “ raise and repair the
long causeway and two short ones toward Lieutenant Estabrooks,” and to do it by means of a
lottery. A formal remonstrance was made, in which it was stated that the raising of the
causeway would damage the meadow, by causing the water to flow back; and that there was
a “good bridge over the river where people may travel at all seasons of the year from Boston
to Marlboro,” and that there is not “one foot of fall in said river for twenty-five or thirty
miles.” But the remonstrance did not avail to defeat the project; for in 1758 the town
voted to petition the Court for leave to repair and raise the causeway by lottery, and chose
Col. John Noyes, William Baldwin, and Col. Josiah Brown a committee to attend to the
work. The Court gave its consent, and the conditions upon which the lottery should pro-
ceed. One of these was that the drawing was not to continue over fifteen days, exclusive
of Sunday. There is in the State Archives a manuscript of several pages relating to this
lottery scheme. The town took tickets, and lost by the venture ; and at a town meeting in
1761 it “granted £27 : 12s; Lawful money to defray the loss sustained to the town by the
tickets.”
As the years have advanced, this memorable piece of highway has received the attention
of Sudbury, East Sudbury, and Wayland; yet, notwithstanding repeated repairs and better-
ments, it is still sometimes partially submerged by the high river floods.
140
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
“OLD TOWN BRIDGE.”
(For early facts concerning this ancient structure see pp. 7, 8.) In IGGl it is supposed
that Peter Bent, son of John Bent, erected a new “ cart bridge ” at tliis spot. At that time
he made a contract to build a bridge across Sudbury River, “ for horse and man and laden
carts to pass over.” The bridge to be built by Mr. Bent at that time, and in accordance
with this contract, was evidently at tlie site of the “Old Town Bridge,” or of the “New
Bridge,” or “ Stone’s Bridge ” as it has in recent years been called. As, however, no “ cart
bridge” was erected at the latter spot until 1GT4, when Samuel Ilow, of Lanham (Sudbury),
erected a “cart bridge” there (see sketch of “New” or “Stone’s” bridge), it is evident
that the bridge erected for “horse and man and laden carts to pass over” was at the site of
the “Old Town Bridge.” In 1717-18 the town voted to have “a New bridge built over
Sudbuiy river where the old bridge now stands at the end of the long Causeway.” In
1729 the town voted to build a new bridge at the east end of the “Long Causeway;”
and in connection with this record we have the two following of about the same date ;
The first is, that “ part of the effects of the old meeting house ’’ were to be paid towards
the building of the bridge over Sudbury River; the other is the report of the committee
a})pointed by the town to build a bridge at the eastern end of the long causeway — “To
David Baldwin 37 pounds,” for bridge frame. In 1733 two men were to repair the bridge
at the east side of the causeway, “so as ye said hutments may not be washed down or be
carried away by 3'e floods as in times past.” In 1735 new plank was provided “for the great
bridg at the East End of the Long Causewa.’' The bridge was rebuilt in 1791. The present
bridge was constructed b}' William Russell, with stone arches, at a cost of 1500.
In former times boats passed from Boston, through the old ^Middlesex Canal, to Concord
Ri ver. Within the present century iron ore that was dug in Sudbury was laden in boats
at the “ Town Bridge,” and conveyed to Chelmsford. Near the bridge, on the east bank,
pieces of the ore could recently be found. The original bridge at this spot is said to be the
first frame bridge in Middlesex Count}'.
THE “NEW BRIDGE.”
'I'his bridge is in the southwesterly part of the town, and crosses the river on the road
from Wayland to Framingham, and is partly in each of these towns. A bridge built at this
spot was probably the second one erected in Sudbury, and doubtless derived its name from
this fact. The name clung to it through many 3'ears, but latterl}' it has been called “Stone’s
Bridge,” a name derived from the Stone family, which has lived in this district almost
from the settlement of the town. This bridge is built wholly of stone. Like other of the
town’s bridges, it has had various predecessors. Previous to 1673, the river at this point
was crossed b}' a “horse bridge,” mention of which is made in the following record: “At a
County Court holden at Charlestown, Dec. 23, 1673, John Stone, Sen. of Sudbury, John
Woods of Marlborough, and Thomas Eames of Framingham, together with John Livermore
of Watertown (or an}' two of them) were appointed and impowered to lay ont an highway
for the use of the country leading from the house of said Livermore to a ‘ Horse Bridge ’
(then being) near the house of Daniel Stone, Jun. and thence the nearest and best way to
Quaboag” (Brookfield). The road here referred to was soon constructed, and the return
was made to the court, Cct. 6, 1674. The same 3mar a “ cart bridge ” was made by Samuel
How, who lived in the Lanham district of Sudbuiy. It was for a time a “ toll ” bridge ; and
the following from the countv records, with date April 7, 1764, sets forth some circumstances
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
141
by which it became sucli : “ In answer to the petition of Samuel How, referring to some
allowance to he made him for his expense about the bridge he had lately erected upon Sud-
bury river above tlie town, he is allowed of all travellers, for a horse and man, 3*'-, and for a
cart until there be an orderly settlement of the country highway and some disburse-
ment.” Since the erection of this first cart bridge, a succession of others have followed in
the slow course of years.
The road that this bridge was made to accommodate was one which led off from the
“Old Connecticut Path” at Happy Hollow, and extended through the northerly part of
Framingham territory towards Noi)scot Hill, Sudbury, and, passing northerly, joined the road
from Sudbury to Marlboro. According to the record quoted concerning this road, it was the
best thoroughfare from Watertown westerly in the seventeenth century. A large portion of
the ancient way, in its course from this bridge through Framingham and Sudbury, is now
along a quiet and sparsely inhabited tract of country. The route by way of this bridge was
perhaps the more valuable in the early times because, being so far up the river, it was less
liable to be submerged b}^ flood. Even in modern times, when high water has made other of
the town bridges impassable, travelers have found a safe route here. It was across this
bridge that the British spies. Captain Brown and Ensign D’Bernicre, passed March 2u, 1775,
on their way from “•Jones’s Tavern,” Weston, to Worcester, when on their tour of observation
previous to the march of the regulars into the country.
“ Sherman’s bridge.”
“ Sherman’s Bridge ” was erected about 1743. At that time a subscription was made
for a bridge between the land of “ John Haynes on the west side of the river and John
Woodward on the east side of the river, and Mr. Edward Sherman and John Woodward
agreed, if the subscribers would erect the bridge, to give a good and convenient way two
rods wide through their land.” In the town division Sherman’s Bridge was left partly in
each town. This bridge is one hundred feet long, and there are twenty-five rods of cause-
way. It crosses the river at the north part of the town on the road from Sudbury to
Lincoln, in the old Sherman District. It takes its name from the numerous families by the
name of Sherman, who have resided in the vicinity.
THE “ CANAL BRIDGE.”
This bridge is situated west of the town bridge at a point nearly midway of the meadow
land. At what date it was built has not been ascertained, although the records liave been
carefully examined with a view to making the discovery. The bridge is so named because it
crosses that portion of the river which it is supposed flows through an artificial channel. No
bridge in tliat immediate vicinity is mentioned in the earlier records but the “ Town Bridge,”
and the stream formerly passed near the eastern upland, or wholly under the town bridge.
The earliest record of which we have any knowledge which has reference to the canal bridge
is in 1768, which is a bill for the repairing of the “new bridge nea" Dea. Stone’s, Lanham,
Sherman’s, the Town bridge and the Canal bridge.” This shows its existence at that
time, but gives no intimation as to when it was made. An artificial opening might not have
been made there until after the construction of the bridge. The first waterway may have
been a natural one, whicli only required a small crossing, and may subsequently have been
enlarged by the current. In other words, when the causeway was btiilt a small outlet may
have been left at this point for the purpose of allowing the water to pass off the meadow
more readily in time of a flood. This passage at first may have been an open, shallow ford-
142
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
way. In tlie process of time, as the causeway was gradually raised and the channel or aper-
ture increased in size, a more substantial bridge may have been required. Another theory is
that the making of the bridge and canal was the result of raising the causeway. If this is
the case, the bridge may have been built in 1758. If they were made at that time it may
have been to meet the objection then raised, that to raise the causeway would set back the
water. The bridge may have been built there at a date even earlier for the same purpose
that the new bridge on the “ Island ” or “ Farm ” road was erected (see p. 57). Still another
theory is that the canal was built by private enterprise The late ]\Ir. Abel Gleason states
that when a boy ten or twelve years old he helped make hay on both sides of the canal for
Col. Baldwin, the owner of the land, and that the Colonel told him that “the water always
made its way over the ‘ oxbow,’ more or less ; but at one time Mr. Goodnow and another
man, whose name he could not remember, dug out a straight channel for the water to run
in” A channel once dug would naturally increase until sufficiently large to allow all the
water to pass through. The short causeway from Sudbury to the canal bridge was laid out
b}' the county commissioners in 1832, and the same year was made under the supervision of
a committee from East Sudbury.
This causeway was raised about a quarter of a century ago. In the division of the
town provision was made for the maintenance by Sudbury of the canal bridge and that part
of the causeway which extends westerly from the bridge to the upland, or as the Mossman
map states, for 52 rods of the Long causeway.
In 1801 the town of Sudbury appointed a committee of five “for the purpose of railing
this town’s proportion of the Long causeway and setting out a sufficient number of willow
trees to answer the purpose for Guides in the time of flood,” and in 1806 it voted to let out
the rebuilding of the Canal Bridge ; ” and in 1815 it voted twenty dollars and thirty-three
cents for the same bridge. The present stone bridge was built at least a quarter of a century
ago.
“FARM BRIDGE.”
This is the second bridge westerly on the road from Wa3dand Centre to the “Island”
or “Farm,” and crosses the river at a point where but little causewaj' is required to reach it.
We have not ascertained at what date the first bridge was constructed at this spot. If the
original one was made by private enterprise it might not be a matter of town record.
Tradition states that formerly the Island was reached by a “ Fording place ” just above the
“ Briflle Point Bridge.” Within the recollection of an old inhabitant, this fordway was in
common use in Summer for carting hay by ox teams from the southerly side of West Brook.
He states : “ In very dry seasons the water would be about fifteen inches deep. I have
waded through water not over one foot deep.” Tradition says, also, that previous to the
laj’ing out of the “farm road,” no cart bridge existed where the “farm bridge” stands ; and
that for foot travel they had a row of large stones upon which they stepped when crossing
the stream, except at high water, when boats were used. In ordinary dry times, before the
Billerica dam was built, the river there was fordable for teams.
The fact however that about 1775 the “old Bridle Point road” was discontinued (see p.
56), and the inhabitants of the Island made a path to the centi’e by the way that has since become
tlie Island road, are circumstances that indicate the presence of a bridge there at that time.
Perhaps before this, one stood there which was connected by a short path with the “ Bridle
Point” road, or by which travelers on foot took a short couise to the centre along the path
which in 1775 became the regularly travelled way. But however this may be, the “ Island
road” as it now is was used for public travel and maintained by the occupants of the
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
143
“• Island” farms for about twenty-five years, when it was accepted by the town on condition
that the residents on the “ Island ” keep it in good repair for ten years, they being exempt
from highway taxes as levied by the town during that time. A bridge evidently existed here
at this time, but as we have no evidence that the bridge and road were built contemporane-
ously the bridge may have been there before the road was built, as we have stated.
If before 1775 a bridge crossed the river at this point, perhaps it may have dated from
about 1725, the time when the meeting house was removed from the Old Burying Ground to
the present Wayland centre. In 1832 the bridge was rebuilt. The new one was of wood
and roughly constructed. It stood at a height not much above the adjoining causeway, and
after the service of half a century both bridge and causeway were in a dilapidated condition.
In 1886 a new one was erected. Generations of the Heard family had crossed and recrossed
the river upon the old one, and as the years sped silently by all that was mortal of one after
another had been carried by the same path to their last resting place. When the last male
members of this numerous family had been borne over it the old bridge was removed. Its
successor is a fine structure, and supposed to be beyond the reach of high water. (For bridge
to the easterly of Farm Bridge, see p. 57.)
About the time of the erection of these bridges, the causeway connected with them was
raised. At times the old “Farm Bridge” was entirely submerged b}^ water, and the dwell-
ers on the “ Island ” were obliged to cross the river in boats or arrive at Wayland Centre by
a circuitous course through Sudbury. It is said that in a time of flood the river has arisen
so high that the Island inhabitant who came to the Centre in a boat was able to fasten it to
the elm tree before the “ Pequod House.”
Notwithstanding that so much attention has been bestowed by the town upon its bi'idges
and causeways, most of them have at times been submerged by the floods. Occasionally the
bridges have been endangered, and extra means have been used to hold the wooden struc-
tures in their places. Sometimes the water has reached the wagon hubs of the adventurous
traveler.
“ DRY BRIDGES.”
There are several small wooden structures on several of the causeways called “ Dry
Bridges.” These were made over openings in the road left for the high water more readily to
pass through. But little or no running water passes through in the summer season except
in case of a freshet, hence the name “dry” bridge has been given them.
HAY BRIDGE.
Tradition states that in the early part of the present century a bridge for the transporta-
tion ot hay crossed the river a little below the Bridle Point Bridge. This is said to have
stood until within the memory of an old inhabitant recently deceased.
OTHER ANCIENT BRIDGES.
(For “ Old Indian Bridge,” see p. 7.)
“ whale’s bridge.”
The bridge that has long borne this name has been mentioned and located on p. 56.
In addition to what is there stated we would observe that the indications very strongly point
to the site of the house of Philemon Whale as being but a few rods from the bridge, and
between it and the Bowles house. Nearly a century ago an old house stood a little southerly
of the Bowles house, and for many years traces of the cellar remained. It is supposed this
was either the original house of Philemon VVhale or stood upon its site.
144
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
t
ANIMALS AND BIIiDS OF THE KIVEK MEADOWS.
Various fur-bearing animals have frequented tlie river and the low lands adjoining it,
but nearly all have disappeared from the localit}' except the muskrat or musquash, which
still exists in considerable numbers. When the Hood is up the musquash frequents the
uncovered borders of the causeway, and also the bushes along the meadow margins. The
meadow lands are dotted here and there, especially along the river course, with the cone-
shaped nests or houses of these animals. Mink are found to a small extent along the small
water runs and spriiigways that flow into the river, where they are sometimes captured.
Within the past few years otter have been seen on the river, but tliey are rare. Beaver
formerly frequented the waters of the Musketahquid, and in the early colonial times the
right to catch them was sold to individuals by public authority. These animals disappeared
at a time beyond the memory of the oldest inhabitant, but a portion of meadow land in the
southeast part of the town is still known as “ Beaver Hole IMeadows.” A variety of water-
fowl visit or make their home in these meadows. In the spring and fall migrations, the
Black, Wood, Teal and Sheldrake ducks are found to some extent ; and a very few of the first
two varieties remain through the breeding season. The Least Bittern, a bird usually con-
sidered somewhat rare in these parts, is found, and it sometimes nests on the meadows. A
few years ago a large colony of tlie Night Heron or Qua Bird made their breeding place in the
woods between Pelham Pond and the West Brook meadows; later they changed their resoit
to a spot near the Lowance Brook meadows in Sudbury. The great Blue Heron is not an
uncommon object in the vicinity, and the Bittern, iisualh' known as the Plum Pudding” or
Post Driver, is frequently heard “ Booming from the- sedgy shallow.” Snipe and bails are
found ; the former especially in the migatory season, but these birds ai’e less numerous than
formerly. (For fish of the river, see p. 34.)
HAYMAKING ON THE IHVEE MEADOWS.
The River meadows have in times gone by been a merry place for the Sudbury and
Wayland farmers as they have resorted to them for hay and cranberries. The season for
cutting the meadow grass was usually after that on the upland was secured. Then the
farmers with their steady ox teams turned their attention to the meadow, and in good
weather for weeks the
“ Merry mowers, hale and strong.
Swept scj-the on scythe their swaths along.”
At evening they would return with the hay heaped high upon the “hay rigging,” and
the highways in the late summer and early fall were fragrant with the odor of meadow hay
with which they were bestrewn. The task of “getting the meadows” was a laborious one,
vet it was anticipated with pleasure by the farmer and his men and boys. It was not all
work, there was the noon-time and the “spread” beneath the shade of a tree on the meadow
margin, when the jug of “home brewed” or “molasses and water” and the substantial
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
145
edibles of the lunch basket were partaken of with a zest and relish known only to those who
have enjoyed it. The shouts of the busy haymakers and the gratification of the farmer as he
contemplated the bountiful crop were in strong contrast to their experience now, as they
occasionally in an exceptionally dry season pick a few scanty “jags” on the upland, or carry
on hay-poles a few tumbles of coarse sedge with which to erect a low stack which can only
be removed by sledding it over the frozen meadow in the winter.
CEANBERRY PICKING.
After haying, and in the early fall, came “ Cranberry time.” Again the meadows
resounded with mirth as the “pickers” gathered the small but profitable fruit. At this
season nature seemed to combine with her children to make the scene a pleasant one. A
soft haze brooded over the landscape and the gentle touch of departing summer gave the
foliage of forest and water brush a faint tinge of yellow and red, and these, with the fresh,
green “ aftermatli ” that spread its carpet from river to upland, all blended their beauty and
contributed to make the task of the berry picker an enjoyable one. Where the fruit was
thickest the grass was not mown as closely as in other places, and frequently it was not mown
at all. In this case the top of it was clipped in order to facilitate the gathering of the cran-
berries. These were first “raked,” after which they were gathered by hand. A common
way was to “pick at the halves.” The only thing that rendered the cranberry crop a
precarious one was the danger of an early frost.
NATURAL FEATURES
OF
WAY LAND.
Ki'oiii a IMidlograph by A. W. Cutting.
BALDWIN'S POND.
A small pond in Wayland, near the resilience of Lydia .Alaria Chihl, and one of her
favorite resorts.
Along its shores the cattle graze
A qniet herd,
And sweet in hush an<l brake in summer days
Is song of bird.
Hume Melodies.
NATURAF. FEATURES.
Some of tlie natural features of Wayland are quite beautiful. Its scenery is varied, and
made attractive by hills, ponds, river, forests, and plains.
HILLS.
There are several of these, which, although not of great height, present a fine prospect.
“Perkins Hill’' is southeasterly of Wayland Centre, and about four bundred feet high.
It has already been alluded to as affording an excellent view of a wide extent of country.
Other names of the hill are “Round Top,” “Nonsuch” or “ Nonesuch ” Hill, “Cutting’s
Hill,” and “Reeves’ Hill.”
“ Braman’s Hill,” or “ Bridle Point Ridge,” is a small eminence, from which a beautiful
view is obtained of tbe winding course of the Sudbury Rivei', the causeways, several bridges,
and a wide expanse of meadow land. It has also a good view of the village of Wayland
Centre.
“Sand Hill,” just over the river to the westward, affords a fine view of the river
and Wayland Centre; also of West Brook meadows and Nobscot Hill, at Sudbury.
“Long Hill,” sometimes called “Castle Hill,” is in the northerly part of Wayland, and
near the school-house. It consists of a ridge that runs in a northerly and southerly direction,
and takes its name probably from its resemblance to earthworks. It may, perhaps, be con-
sidered a good specimen of what are known as “ Indian ridges,” to which the term “Kame”
has been given.
“ Pine Hill ” is of a nature similar to that of “ Castle Hill,” and situated east of the mill
pond. It has been called “Sandy Hill.”
“Overthrow Hill” extends from “Nonesuch Hill” towards Cochituate, and is near the
highway.
“Grout’s Head” is a rocky hill near the meadow on the Ira Draper farm (Bryden place.)
The term “ Grout’s Head ” is used in connection with a description of the eastern boundar}^
of Sudbuiw at an early date, and as so used is found in the Colonial Reeoi'ds, Vol. IV., p. 53.
“ Tower Hill ” is in the eateiiy part of Wayland, and near the railroad station of that
name. The hill took its name from the wooden tower, or lookout, which was erected on it
by Richard Fuller, Esq. The station took the name of the hill
PONDS
The largest of these is “Long Pond,” or “Cochituate Lake” as it is now more com-
monly called. This pond in its entire length is supposed to extend seven miles, the south-
erly part being in Natick and Framingham. A large part of the water supply for the city
of Boston is afforded by this pond. It is very irregular in outline, and in places the bank
is quite elevated above the surface of the lake, adding much to the beauty of the scenery
about it.
“Dudley Pond” is a lovely sheet of water in the vicinity of Long Pond, in the Cochituate
district. Formerly it was like a little lake in the woods; and, being of considerable size and
regular in outline, it was one of the most beautiful bodies of w^ter in town.
148
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
“ Baldwin’s Pond,” formerly called “ Loring’s Pond,” is a small lake a little southerly
of the Lydia Maria Child place, and was a favorite resort of the author on a pleasant evening.
Near by Baldwin's Pond is a small body of water called “ Little Pond.”
“ Heard’s Pond,” or what was formerly called •' Pelham's Pond,” is a beautiful body of
water near the Sudbury border. It is in a quiet rural region, and much resorted to for fishing
and boating.
Rice’s Pond” is near Cochituate, and is a reservoir in connection with the water works.
‘•Johnson’s Pond” is also near Cochituate.
MILL DAMS.
Several ponds have been made by the construction of mill dams. The first one thus
made was for the “ Cakebread Mill” of 16.39. This body of water has long been known as
the - Mill Pond.”
•‘.M oore's Dam ” is situated on a small brook running from the northeast part of the
town, b}' the North School-house, into the river near Sherman's Bridge. It was built about
1726 by John Moore, to afford water power for sawing boards. The remains of this dam are
still visible at a spot just above where the brook crosses the road from Pine Plain to Concord.
The water head is about nine feet.
•‘ Sherman’s Dam ” was on the same stream, at a point lower down, and just before the
brook flows past the north end of “Castle Hill.” It was made by Eli Sherman, for a saw-
mill, about 1810, and had a fall of about five feet.
•• Rice's Dam'’ was across Pine Brook, near the road as it passes by the house of Rev.
Brooke Herford. This dam is said to be very old.
“Cutting's Dam ” was constructed for grist-mill purj)Oses, and situated near the Alonzo
Rice place, not far from Cochituate. It was built about 1780.
STREAMS.
(For facts and features about the Sudbury River see p. 34.)
•‘ West Brook” enters tbe river near the Bridle Point Bridge. The meadows about it
are called the “ West Meadows,” and the meadows above, toward Sudbury, are called “ Lan-
ham Meadows.”
“ Mill Brook ” extended from the old “ Cakebread ” grist-mill to the river, which it
enters near Farm Bridge. This has been called “Ross Brook.”
“ Pine Brook” flows from Pine Plain, and enters Mill Brook a short distance from the
river.
“ Hayward’s Brook ” flows into Pine Brook from the southeast.
“Snake Brook ” flows from Cochituate Reservoir into Cochituate Lake.
ROLL OF HONOR.
EAST SIDE MILITIA
OF TUE
FKENC]I AND INDIAN WAR PERIOD.
Tlie following lists contain the names of men who were in a company of “Active
Militia,’’ and in an “Alarm Company,” toward the close of the last French and Indian
W'ar.
It is supposed Capt. Thomas Damon commanded the “Alarm Company.”
ACTIVE MILITIA COMPANY, 1757.
“ A List of the Officers and Soldiers of the First Foot Company in Sudbury under the
command of Capt. IMoses Maynard, Joseph Curtis and En. Jason Glezen
Serg John Rice
“ Israel Rice
“ Samuell Russell
“ Isaac Cutting
Corp^ Jonathan Underwood
“ Nehemiah Williams
“ Josiah Farrar
“ Samuel Fisk
Drum. John Combs
“ \V’^“ Russell
Joseph Smith
Shemnel Griffyn
Joseph Rutter
Sand^ Abbott
Randall Davis Jun.
W'** Moulton
John Parmenter
Sand Gould Jun.
Ephrarn Smith
Jonathan Graves
Jacob Alderick
Sam^ Livermore
Cliarles Wetheaby
W“ Ravis
David Bent
Isaac Damon
James Davis
Henery Coggin
William Dudley
Micah Rice
Isaac Wetheaby
Jonathan Belcher
Ephraim Abbott
John Allen
Benj^ Glezen
Abraham Jenkins Jun.
Ebenezer King
Joseph Trask
Thomas Allen Jun.
Elijah Rice
John Parmenter Jun.
Grindly Jackson
Caleb Moulton
Bezaleel Moore
Timothy Underwood
Phineas Glezen
Sand Griffyn
Micah Maynard
W™ Grout
Edw*^ Sharman Jun
John Walker
John Meriam
Edmond Rice
Jason Glezen
Elijah Ross
John Morffet
Benj‘‘ Cory
Ebenezer Sta2)les
Sam^ Pool
Zebediah Allen Jun
Josiah Maynard
Jonas Woodward
Benj^A. Williams
David Patterson
David Stone
Jason Glezen Jun
Thomas Bent Jun
Thadeus Russell
James Ross
W“ Sanderson
A true Copy taken Apr. 25, 1757
Sam^ Curtis, Clerk.”
150
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLANI).
4
ALARM LIST.
List of those persons who are obliged to appear on an alarm, between the ages of 16
and 60 in the First foot Conipanj in Sudbury, Apr. 25 1757.
Samuel Curtis, Clerk.
Ehenezer Roby Esq.
W'“ Cook Jinl
W'“ Baldwin
Ehenezer Roby Jnn.
Abial Abbott
Isaac Baldwin
.\aham Baldwin
.John Ross
Zechariah Briant
Benj‘‘‘ Briant
Benj“ Ball
Daniel Wyman
James Patterson
Thomas Bent
Joseph Goodnow
Elijah Bent
Cor. Thomas Damon
■lames Graves
Amos Sanderson
Ezra Gra ves
Joseph Tvivermore
Isaac Rice
Peter Bent
Zebadiah Allen
Paul Brintnal
Hopstill Bent
Joseph Beal
Joseph Sharman
James Brewer Jun
Eliakim Rice
Benjamin Dudle}^
Samuel Parris
Peter Bent Jun
Thomas Graves
Isaac Wood w ord
Thomas Jenkinson
David McDaniels
Daniel Moore Jnn
Amos Brown
Jonathan Patterson
Elisha Rice Jun
Peter Briant
David Sharman
Josiah [lay lies
Isaac Stone
Jonathan Griffin. ”
EAST SIDE SOLDIERS IX THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
The following lists of soldiers’ names are copied from town and state records, and,
together with the preambles, are given verbatim.
MILITIA COMPANY, APRIL l?l, ITT-j.
“A muster roll of the Company under the Command of Capt. Joseph Smith, in Col.
James Bariett's Regiment from
Troops.
Capt. Joseph Smith
Lieut. Josiah Fariar
Lieut. Ephraim Smith
Ensign Timothy Uudeiwvood
Sergeant William Bent
■Sergeant Samuel Griffin
Sergeant Robert Cutting
Sergeant John Bruce
Corporal Samuel Tilton
Corporal Nathaniel Smith
Cor|)oral Peter Johnson
Corporal John Merriam
Sudbury on April 19*^ 1775
John Barney
Jacob Gould
Benjamin Dudley
Zachariah Briant Jr.
Ebenezer Johnson
Jonathan Bent
Simon Belcher
Joel Stone
Isaac Damon
John Tilton Jr.
John Cutting
Samuel Tilton Jr.
, in persuit of the ministerial
John Stone
Isaac Rice Jr.
William Dudley
John Peter
Francis Jones
James Sharman
Samuel Sharman
Joseph Goodenow
Josiah Allen
Elisha Cutting
John Dean
James Goodenow
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
151
Driimer Thomas Trask
Edimind Sharmaii
Timothy Bent
Micah R ice
Isaac Gould
Amos Addaway
Travis
Roland Bennett
Isaac Stone
Ephraim Bowker
Jonathan Cutting
James Davis
Jason Parmenter
Middlesex Dec 21®* 1775. The above named Joseph Smith made solemn oath to the
truth of the above roll. Before me,
SOUTH MILITIA COMPANY, APRIL 19, 1775.
The men in this company were from what may be designated the Lanham District of
Sudbury, and were from both the east and west sides of the Sudbury River.
“ These Certify that the mens names hereafter annex’d marched on y® 19*’* of April last
to Head Qf® we being under Command of Lt CoD How of Sudbiuy and Moses Stone Cap.
Moses Stone Cap*
JoiP Rice L*
Joseph Goodenow 2 L*
Joseph Moore Serg*
Ephr“ Carter Corp*
David How
Benj“ Berry
Jon^ Carter
Elijah Goodenow
The above named were
David How
Ezek® How jr.
Jonas Wheeler
Isaac Lincoln
Tho® Ames
Thomas Burbank
Nath* Bryant
Israel Maynard
out four davs.
Peter Haynes
L* Elisha Wheeler
Aarqn Goodnow
Thomas Walker
EbeiP Burbank
Tho® Derumple
Nath* Brown
The above named were out three days
Tho® Carr jun^'
Isaac Moore
Uriah Moore
Abner M*alker
W“ Walker
Abel Parmenter
Dan* Osburn
Tho® Derumple
Uriah Hayden
Israel Willis
Calven Clark
MINUTE COMPANYL APRIL 19, 1775.
“A Muster Role of the Minute Company under the Command of Capt. Nathaniel (Tid
worth in Col. Abijah Pierce’s Regiment.
Nathaniel Cudworth Capt.
Thadeus Russell, Lieut.
Nathaniel Maynard Ensign
Nathaniel Reeves Sergeant.
Jonathan Hoar “
Caleb Moulton
Thomas Rutter “
JosepL Willington Corp.
Thadeus Bond “
David Clough “
Joshua Kendall
John Noyes Jr.
Timothy Underwood
Peter Brintnell
Zebediah Farrar
Jonathan Parmenter Jr.
Jonathan wesson
Samuel Pollard
Daniel Rice
Samuel Whitney
Benjamin Adams
Samuel Curtis
Samuel Haynes
Joseph Nicolls
william Grout
Samuel Merriam
David Underwood
Naum Dudle}^
James Phillips
Edmund Rice Jr
Nathaniel Parmenter
David Damon
David Rice
152
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
John Trask Drummer Richard Heard Jr Edward How
Phineas Gleason Private Samuel Bent Timothy Shannon
Ebenezer Dudley
Sworn to by Nathaniel Cudworth, Feb. 21, 1776.”
TROOP OF HORSE, APRIL IS), 1775.
This company was composed of men from both sides of tlie river.
“ Province of the Massachusetts D’' to Isaa Locker and the men under me by name in
y® Colony for service done in defense of the County on y® lOtli day of April to ye 21st of
the same when the claim at Concord, agreeable to tlie General Courts Order — made up this
Acco'^
Isaac Locker
Rufus Bent
Nath’ Knowlton
IJ Oliver No3’es
Jasnii Bent
Jonas Rice
M"" Ja® Puffer
W Wyman
Nathan Stearns
Corp^ Ja® Noyes
Jo® Rutter
Micah Greaves
Corp Jesse Gibbs
Win Nojes
Nath’ Jenison
Corp' Abel Smitli
Tim° Shannon
Asaph 'I'ravis
Da' Woo'' Moore
Dan’ Moore jr
Steph“ Locker
Eph™ Moore
David Curtis
Simon Newton
Jonas Wlieeler
Zach’' Heard
David Heard
Jesse Mossmon
Jacob Jones
BUNKER HILL, JUNE 17, 1775.
A List of East Side men at tlie Battle of Bunker Hill.
“Thaddeus Russel Capt
Captain Russel’s Company.
Sergt Thomas Rutter
Corp. David Damon
Nathan Tuckerman Lieut.
“ Thad Bond
Drumer Thomas 1'rask
Nathan Reeves Ens.
Corp. Joshua Kendall
Fifer Nathan Bent
Sergt Josiah Wellington
“ DavkPRice
“ David Smith
Ephraim Allen
Privates.
Jonathan Wesson
Samuel Merriam
Langley Bartlett
Lemuel IVhitne}^
Cuff Niiiiia
Rolon Bennet
Samuel Sherman
Benjamin Pierce
Peter Brintnall
Nahum Dudley
Nath®’ Parmenter
Timothy Bent
Oliver Damon
James Phillips
Samuel Curtis
William English
Samuel Pollard
Edward Sorce [Vorce]
Ambros Furgison
Rufus Parmenter
Jacob Speen
William Grout
Edward Rice
Ephram Sherman
Elisha Harrington
Martin Rourke
Samuel Tilton
Richard Heard
Denis Ryan
Asa Travis
William Mallet
Amos Sillewa^" ”
David Underwood
MUSTER ROLLS.
October 19, 1778, the Town of Sudbury “appointed men
to make up and bring to
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
153
town complete muster rolls of the services of each person in Sudbury in the then present
war with Great Britain.”
An estimate in pounds was made and placed against the name of each person. The
names on the following muster rolls are of East Side men.
Capcain Xathll Maynard' a Muster Roll.
John Adams
Israel moore 12
Zech’* Bryant Ju* 70
Benj" Adams 23
John Noyes Esq*' 50
John Bruce 50
Josiah Allen 50
James Noyes 52
Maj* Jo® Curtis 5
Ephe™ Abbot 30
Jason Parmenter 18
David Curtis 32
Amos Abbot 20
Jon*' Parmenter Jun*' 15
Lt Sam®’ Choat 25
\\’m Baldwin Esq*' 50
D*' Eben*' Roby 50
Thad® Bond 40
Lt Wm Barker 32
Joseph Rutter JiC 50
Capt Joseph Payson 32
Rolan Bennet 12
Tho® Rutter 20
Wm Wyman 30
John Dean 45
Jonas Sherman 25
Isaac Brintnal 20
James Davis 52
Edward Sherman 50
Peter Brintnal 20
Lt Josiah Farrar 13
Timoy Sherman 12
Joshua Kendal 20
.\braham Jenkinson 52
L’ Eben*" Staples 18
Capt Richard Heard 132
Sam®^ Griffin 80
Tho® Trask 12
Tho® Heard 53
Micah Graves 57
Isaac woodwai’d 7
Richard Heard Ju* 20
Phinehas Glezen 63
Lt John Noyes 73
Trobridge Taylor 18
Isaac Gould 4
Samuel Sherman 20
Darius Hudson 52
Reuben Gould 25
Eph*** Allen ad*** 95
Joseph Emerson 52
Jacob Gould 25
James Phillips 95
Nath®’ Knowlton 20
Capt Josiah Hoar 5
Lemuel Whiting 95
Sam®’ Haynes 3
Lt Jon® Hoar 40
Lt Josiah Wilinton 95
Wid® Ann Noyes 30
Capt Nathaniel Maynard 68
John Brewer 40
Isaac Moore 20
Daniel Maynard 50
Elijah Bent 95
Simon Newton 70
Dan®* moore 34
Zech** Bent 6
Capt. Cuttinu's Muster Roll.
Lt Wm Bond £22
Capt Isaac Loker 76
Capt Robert Cutting 55
Thom® Brintnal 5
John Meriam 26
Jacob Reeves 46
Joseph Beal 32
Capt Caleb Moulton 34
Lt Nath® Reeves 20
Isaac Cutting 32
Capt Micah Maynard ad* 50
Joseph Smith Capt 76
John Cutting 50
Amos Ordeway 4
Lt Ephraim Smith 22
Elisha Cutting 58
Lt Isaac Rice 54
Isaac Stone 50
Jon® Cutting 20
Isaac Rice 25
David Stone 50
Sam®’ Curtis 20 ^
Daniel Rice 17
Joel Stone 16
Tho® Damon Ju^ 57
Israel Rice Ju* 26
John Tilton 32
Wm Damon 25
Micah Rice 4
John Tilton Jun* 60
Isaac Damon 12
Isaac Smith 56
Timoy Underwood ad* 55
Benj® Dudley Jib' 6
Cap’ Tho® Damon 20
Timoy Underwood 21
Cor’ Joseph Dudley 50
John Barney 4
Jon® Westson 20
Eben'' Dudlej^ 29
Lt Joseph Smith 95
Isaac Williams 20
wm Dudley 56
D** Sam®’ Parris 32
Lt John Whitney 88
EbeiP Johnson 50
Jonas Rice 9
Eben* Eaton 52
Peter Johnson 24
Edmund Rice 42
Will*** Grout 35
John Loker 45
Lt Sam®’ Russell 32
Francis Jones 64
Jonas Loker ad*' 5
Capt Thad® Russell 20
Cap’ Jesse Ernes 5
154
APPENDIX TO THE ANNAI.S OF WAYLANI).
WAYLAM) SOLDIERS IN THE CTVII. WAIL
'Fhe following list of names of Civil Wav soldiers, together with the accompanying state-
ment, was prepared by James S. Draper, author of •• Wayland in the ('ivil War.”
‘‘ List of men who performed military service during the Civil War, and who were resi
dent citizens of Wayland at the time of entering the army: —
Oscar Page Balcom,
Charle^i Henry P>erry,
Edward Payson Bond,
John Bradshaw,
Joliu Baker Brigham.
Hezekia N. Brown,
John Moore Brummitt,
Joseph Oscar Bullard,
William Henry Butterfield,
John Calvin Bufterfield,
Charles Benjamin Butterfield,
Charles Henry Campbell,
Elbridge Ambrose Carter,
Edward Carter,
William Warren Carter,
Benjamin Corliss,
Ferdinand Corman.
Joseph Thomas Damon,
Edaon Capeu Davis,
Sujnner Aaron Davis,
Charles Franklin Dean,
Thomas Alfred Dean,
Curtis Warren Draper,
Frank Winthrop Draper,
James Austin Draper,
William Dexter Drai)er,
Charles Dudley,
Frank B. Fairbanks,
Elias Whitfield Farmer,
Marshall Garfield,
William Henry Garfield,
Charles William (Jarland,
Daniel Webster Glezen,
William Thomas Harlow,
Samuel Hale Mann Heard,
Warren Alvin Hersey,
William Kingston Hills,
Luther Dow Holmes,
William Heniy Jameson,
William Alfred Jessop,
George Gilbert Kemp,
Albert Franklin King,
Edward Isaac Loker,
William Lovejoy,
Charles Henry Ma3%
William Ariel May,
John Mellen,
Charles William Mooie,
Joseph Marshall Moore,
Samuel Moore,
John N oyes M Oise,
James Edmund Moulton,
Dennis Mullen,
Ambrose Miranda Page,
William Levi Parker,
Henry Dana Parmenter,
Charles Ilainmond Rice,
Janies Alvin Rice,
Edmund Russell.
John James Searle,
George Anderson Spofford,
Evinson Stone,
John Edmond Stone,
Lewis C. -Swan.
Hiram Leonard Thurston,
Thomas Francis Wade,
Henry Otis Walker,
Alpheus Bigelow Wellington,
Walter J. Wellington.
“George 'Faylor Dickey, James D. Loker, Joshua Alellen, and Alden Wellington, citizens
of Wayland, enlisted to fill quotas of other towns.
“ In addition to the above, fifty-eight men were recruited from other towns and cities to
fill the quotas of Wa3'land. About $18,000 was expended in the ii^ci uiting service.
“The Fourth of July, 1865, was set apart by the citizens of Wayland for a general
reception of its soldiers who had served in the war. It was an occasion of deep interest.
Commingling with the happy greetings of the returned veterans were the sad remembrances
of those whose lives had been sacrificed in the terrible struggle. The spirit of gratitude
pulsed deeply in every heart that the sacrifices made, both by the living and the dead, had
been made effectual ; and that our country, purified and ennobled ly the ordeal of war, was
now standing firm in its integrity, and bearing aloft the triumphant banner of Freedom.
“Among the exercises of the occasion was the eulogium on the deceased soldiers bv
Hon. Edward Mellen, the address to the veterans by Rev. E. 11. Sears, and a poem reciting
the events of the war by R F. Fuller, Esq.”
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND,
155
Besides those mentioned in the foregoing list, it may be appropriate to mention also the
name of Dr. J. R. Draper, a native of this town, who served in the war about two years as
surgeon.
Dr. Draper entered the Medical Department of the U. S. Army in 1862, and was assigned
to service in the Armory Square Hospital, Washington, D. C. Dec. 1, 1863, he was com-
missioned Assistant Surgeon of the 14th R. I. Heavy Artillery, and sent to New Orleans;
but on his arrival there was ordered to Matagorda Island, Texas, where he remained several
months, being stationed during this time at Fort Esperanza. He afterwards went to Fort
Jackson where he served for a time, and subsequently to Brashear City, where he remained
untd his discharge, Nov. 1, 1865.
Joseph Rutter Draper, the subject of this sketch, was the son of Ira and Eunice (Rutter)
Draper, and born June 30, 1830. In early life he attended the common schools, and after-
wards the Wayland Academy. After the death of his father which occurred in 1844, and
when he was fourteen years of age, he entered Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass., where he
remained three years, at the end of which time he entered Williams College, and graduated
in 1851. Nov. 22, 1855, he married Mary J. Fuller, of Dedham. He spent several years
teaching the High schools of Saxonville and Milford, after which he spent a year and a half
at the south. After his return he studied medicine at the Harvard and Berkshire medical
schools, and graduated from the latter in 1862.
After his discharge from the army. Dr. Draper practised his profession at South Boston
I'or over twenty years. He was much respected and trusted both as a citizen and a physi-
cian. He was active in the Congregational Church, of which he had been a member from
his youth. He was President of the South Boston Medical Club,. and just previous to his
death was elected Councillor for the Suffolk District of the Mass Medical Society. He died
Aug. 5, 1885, after a few weeks’ illness of Pneumonia, the fatal result of which was occa-
sioned by the enfeeblement of his constitution in his army life. At his own request his
remains were interred in the old burying ground at Wayland, where the dust of a long line
of ancestry lies buried.
A widow, and son, Dr. Joseph R. Draper, survive him.
POETICAL SELECTIONS
FROM
WAYLAND AUTHORS.
SELECTIONS OF POETRY.
Tlie following selections are from the works of persons who are either natives of Wayland
have at times made the town their home.
The selections are for the most part from published works.
EDMUND H. SEARS, D.D.
CHRISTMAS SONG.
Calm on the listening ear of night
Come heaven’s melodious strains,
Where wild Judsea stretches far
Her silver mantled plains ;
Celestial choirs from courts above
Shed sacred glories there.
And angels, with their sparkling lyres.
Make music on the air.
The answeiing hills of Palestine
Send back the glad reply.
And greet from all their holy heights
The Day-Spring from on high ;
O’er the blue depths of Galilee
There comes a holier calm.
And Sharon waves, in solemn praise.
Her silent groves of palm.
“ Glory to God ! ” The lofty strain
The realm of ether fills.
How sweeps the song of solemn joy
O’er Judah’s sacred hills !
“ Glory to God ! ” The sounding skies
Loud with their anthems ring,
“ Peace on the earth ; good will to men
From heaven’s Eternal King.”
From “Sermons and Songs” [1875].
158
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
CHRISTMAS CAROL.
It came ui)oii the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold ;
“ Peace on the earth, good will to men
From heaven's all-gracious King,” —
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled.
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world ;
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing.
And ever o’er its Babel-sounds
The blessed angels sing.
Hut with the woes of sin and strife
The world has sulfered long ;
Beneath the angel-strain have rolled
'I'wo thousand years of wrong ;
And man at war with man hears not
The love song which they bring, —
Oh, hush the noise, ye men of strife.
And hear the angels sing.
And ye beneath life’s crushing load.
Whose forms are bending low.
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow.
Look now ! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing, —
Oh, rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing !
For, lo ! the days are hastening on.
By prophet bards foretold.
When with the ever-circling years
Comes round the age of gold ;
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling.
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing.
From “Sermons and Songs.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
159
SONG FOR THE COMING CRISIS.
(1858.)
O church of Clirist, to prayer, to prayer ! lean on thy sacred shrine.
And there, while lowly bowing down, receive the strength divine ;
Then rise, and let thy faithful word be healing for our woes.
And let the Spirit’s flaming sword be lightning on thy foes !
» * * * * * * * * * * *
Ring with thy bells a swift alarm from every crashing spire.
And sjieak with lips which God’s right hand has touched with coals of fire;
Let Christ’s whole gospel lie proclaimed, let God’s whole truth be shown.
And let the East and West respond and echo tone for tone.
Then i-ise, O church of Christ, arise ! shake off thy slumbers now,
God’s conquering strength within thy heart, his calmness on thy brow;
In Christ’s dear name who died for man, put all thy glories on ;
No bondsman’s blood upon thy robes, no stain upon thy lawn !
From “Sermons and Songs.”
ABBY B. HYDE.
PRAYER FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH.
Dear Saviour, if these lambs should stray
From thy secure enclosure’s bound.
And, lured by worldly joys away.
Among the thoughtless crowd be found ;
Remember still that they are thine.
That thy dear sacred name they bear.
Think that the seal of love divine, —
The sign of covenant grace they wear.
In all their erring, sinful years.
Oh, let them ne’er forgotten be ;
Remember all the prayers and tears
Which make them consecrate to thee.
And when these lips no more can pray.
These eyes can weep for them no more,
Turn thou their feet from folly’s way, —
The wanderers to thy fold restore.
From “Village Hymns” [1825].
160
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
ARK.
Ark of rest — I come to thee —
Other rest is none for me ;
Like the dove witli weary wing,
( )'er the wide sea wandering.
Vainly seeking solid ground.
Till this refuge I have found.
While the billows round my soul
Louder roar and higher roll,
'Fumult dread of fear and doubt.
Dark within and dark without, —
Ark of safety, unto thee.
As my oidy hope, I flee.
Here I trembling, trusting, hide;
In this covert still abide, —
Every peril, every fear —
In both worlds — I meet them here —
Here would brave death’s surges dark.
Venture all in Christ my Ark.
From “Village Ilj-mns.”
PS. CXLV. 10.
Thy name, O God, is on the skies.
Traced in those glorious orbs above.
Read by adoring angel eyes —
Almighty Power, Eternal Love.
Earth sends her humble praise to Thee,
In ocean’s roar — in whispering breeze —
From darkness-shrouded Calvary
A deeper, tenderer note than these.
Within our hearts, O Lord, prepare
A living, grateful sacrifice ;
For thine own Spirit, breathing there.
Alone can bid the incense rise.
From “ Village Hjanns.”
RICHARD F. FULLER.
OUR CRANE.
Our house is on a hilly site,
That gently slopes away
To meet a pond, whose mirror bright
May double night and day.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
161
When first we had our dwelling here,
One early dusk, a crane
Flew to the pond ; and every year.
Has visited again.
As solitary as a soul
He comes to us at even ;
And, sooner than the seasons roll.
He flies away in heaven.
He’s welcome on our water brim.
With folded wing to rest.
As soft as ether heights to him.
Our yearly honored guest.
The haunt is his, as well as ours, —
And brief for both may prove !
Oh ! when we leave these happy bowers.
May we, too, fly above.
REEVES’ HILL.
Reeves’ graded terrace, green and high.
Earth reaches up to kiss the sky.
Oh ! what a banquet for the eye.
Uplifted thus, to view
The landscape stretching dreamily
To sleeping shores of blue!
Imprisone.d in the meadows green
The listless river-flow is seen.
Recoiling with a silver sheen.
To drown the mower’s hope !
And mountains of a range serene
Blue-purple banks heave up.
Thus looking down on earth how fair
Its hills of difficulty are.
Its fields of toil and homes of care !
And the cloud shadows seem
Poised in the blue cerulean air
As fleeting as a dream !
The lowlands limit with a wall,
Whose little boundaries are all.
Petty pursuits and passions small.
And prejudices blind ;
But when we climb, the scales will fall.
And light break on the mind.
162
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
LUCY ANN LEE.
VEILED ANGELS OR AFFLICTIONS.
Unnumbered blessings, rich and free,
Have come to us, our God, from Thee ;
Sweet tokens, written with Thy name.
Bright angels from Thy face they eame.
Some came with open faces bright.
Aglow with Heaven’s own living light ;
And some were veiled, ti’od soft and slow.
And spoke in voices grave and low.
Veiled angels, pardon, if with fears
We met you first, and many tears ;
We take you to our hearts no less.
We know you come to teach and bless ;
We know the love from whence you come ;
We trace you to our Father’s home ;
We know how radiant and how kind
Your faces are, those veils behind ;
We know those veils, one happy day.
In Heaven or earth, shall drop away.
And we shall see you as you are.
And learn why thus ye sped so far ;
But what the joy that day shall be.
We know not yet, but wait to see :
For this O angels ! will we know.
The way ye came, our souls shall go ;
Up from the love from which ye come.
Back to our Father’s blessed home ;
And bright each face, unveiled shall shine.
Lord when the veil is rent from thine.
MY VEIL.*
A sweet thought came to me one day ;
A Hand was placed in love
To turn my e3’es from earth awa,3'.
And lure my soul above.
Hope lights the path the Saviour planned;
Tills veil that now 1 wear
Is but tbe shade of His dear Hand
To hide the world so fair.
The las<^ hyinn she ever wrote.
appp:ndix to the annals of wayland.
163
And when my veil is laid aside,
O may I see His face
In His own righteousness arrayed,
Made ready by His grace.
September, 1885.
THOMAS W. PARSONS.
BIRTH-PLACE OF ROBERT BURNS.
A lowly roof of simple thatch, —
No home of pride, of pomp, and sin, —
So freely let us lift the latch.
The willing latch that says, ‘Come in.’
Plain dwelling this! a narrow door —
No carpet by soft sandals trod,
But just for peasant’s feet a floor, —
Small kingdom for a child of God !
Yet here was Scotland’s noblest born.
And here Apollo chose to light ;
And here those large eyes hailed the morn
That had for beauty such a sight !
There, as the glorious infant lay.
Some angel fanned him with Ids wing.
And whispered, ‘ Dawn upon the day
Like a new sun ! go forth and sing ! ’
He rose and sang, and Scotland heard —
The round world echoed with his song.
And hearts in every land were stirred
With love, and joy, and scorn of wrong.
Some their cold lips disdainful curled ;
Yet the sweet lays would many learn ;
But he went singing through the world.
In most melodious unconcern.
For flowers will grow, and showers will fall.
And clouds will travel o’er the skv ;
And the great God, who cares for all.
He will not let his darlings die.
164
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OP' WAYLAND.
But they shall sing in spite of men,
In spite of poverty and shame,
And show the world the poet’s pen
May match the sword in winning fame.
From “The Shadow of the Obelisk and other Poems.” — [1872.]
PAHADISI GLOKIA.
'O frale mio! ciascima e cittadiiia
D’ iiiia vera citta’ —
There is a cit}", builded by no hand.
And unapproachable b}" sea or shore ;
And unassailable by tiny band
Of storming soldiery for evermore.
There we no longer shall divide our time
By acts or pleasures, — doing petty things
Of work or warfare, merchandise or rhyme ;
But we shall sit beside the silver springs
That flow from God's own footstool, and behold
Sages and martyrs, and those blessed few
Who loved us once and were beloved of old,
To dwell with them and walk with them anew.
In alternations of sublime repose, —
Musical motion, — the perpetual play
Of every faculty tluit Heaven bestows
Through the bright, busy, and eternal da3^
From “ The Shadow of the Obelisk aud other Poems.”
MY SUDBURY MISTLETOE.
This hallowed stem the Druids once adored.
And now I wreathe it round my bleeding Lord,
So might my spirit around His image twine.
And find support, as in its oak a vine I
‘ I am the Vine : ’ — He said ; Lord, then let me
Be just a tendril clinging to the tree
Where the Jews nailed Thee bodily, to grow
Fruit for all fainting souls that grope below.
May this green hope that in my heart is born
Blossom before another Christmas morn !
Then my weird mistletoe I’ll cast away,
And hang up lilies to record the day.
London, Christmas Day, MDCCCLXXI.
From “ The Shadow of the Obelisk and other Poems.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
165
EMMA LUCILLA (REEVES) FULLER.
NATURE’S ANTHEMS.
Nature is chanting, with many toned voices,
Carols of gladness and strains of despair ;
Anthems all glorious sublimeU she’s raising
To the Author Divine of her realm vast and fair.
A chorist most skillful, she’s training her minstrels
’Mong the waves of the sea and the clouds of the air;
From the mountain’s deep cavern, the forest, the hill-top.
Float forth in their beauty her choruses rare.
Her mood ever changing is never more varied
Than the songs of the nymphs, or the tones of her lyres.
And her many hued scenes are constantly shifting.
As if by the touching of magical wires.
With a spirit all joyous she smiles in the sunlight.
She laughs in the streamlet, her bugle notes sound.
And a thousand gay birds send forth their wild wood notes,
While the bells of the flowers scatter fragrance around.
She wearies with sport, and among the dark shadows
Of pine trees, she sighs with a soft, gentle moan.
Which is echoed afar in the low sighing sea-shell.
And the vesper is joined by the zephyr’s soft tone.
Her fair brow is clouded, and darkness most awful.
Unbroke save by lightnings which gleam from her eye.
Broods o’er her dominions, while thunder is mingling
With the shriek of the storm and the sea-bird’s shrill cry.
The bright minstrels of morn are weary of singing ;
The sprites of the tempest have spent all their might ;
And eve’s plaintive spirits have ceased from their vespers.
While tired Nature rests on the bosom of night.
Written for “The Boston Journal.”
MY COUNTRY’S HARP.
Low, with the dust upon her brow,
Her harp beside her, silent now.
My country sits ; but from her eye
Out-gleams a fire that cannot die.
That mighty harp ! whose blending note
O’er lake and mountain used to float.
1G6
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
And, mingling with the ocean’s roar,
Bore Freedom’s strain from shore to shore.
Lies quivering with broken strings ;
A wail discordant only rings
Out from its rudely severed wires —
Like dirges for our noble sires —
As warring winds now o’er them sweep
From Southern glen and Northern steep.
Ah! whence shall come that master will,
To strike this harp with magic skill ;
d'o tune each severed, jarring string.
And from them Heaven-born music bring?
Not sickl}" strains, to please the ear
And praise and ilatter those who hear.
But those that rouse to acts sublime.
Like deeds of men in olden time.
Who paused not in unequal fight.
When feeble right might end in might.
O, Iloh' Spirit ! guide the hand
That tunes the harp-strings of our land ;
Breathe over those discordant strings.
Till “ Peace with Union ” sweetly rings.
And Freedom’s richly pealing note
In sweetest harmony shall float.
Written for “The Boston Joiu-nal.”
PEACE.
“ Then shall we have peace, — sweet, blessed, perpetual peace.” (’losing words of the last letter of the Kev. Arthiu’
B. Fuller, chaplain of the Sixteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers.*
E’en as he spake, “sweet, blessed Peace,”
The olive wreath was twining.
That would so soon around his brow
A martyr’s crown be shining.
“ Sweet, blessed peace, perpetual,”
With purity combining.
And freedom’s priceless gift to all, —
For this his soul was pining.
Peace had he brought our wounded braves
In the rude barracks lying ;
To heavenly peace had pointed them
In battle nobly dying.
* Chaplain Arthm' B. Fuller, the husband of the author of this poem, was shot at the battle of Fredericksburg,
while crossing with the Union army to attack the Confederate batteries. He had been discharged for disability, but
seeing the ’’croism of the Federal soldiers, he seized a musket and advanced with them, but soon fell by the enemy's
shot. Says the “Adjutant-General's Report,” “No hero deserves a brighter page in history than this departed
patriot.”
James S. Draper,
At the age of 7fi.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
167
Ever, amid the storms of war,
Purely though faintly shining.
He caught those gleams which show to faith
The war-cloud’s “silver lining.”
He felt that in no human hand
Was placed our country’s keeping ;
A “ Peace, be still ! ” above the storm.
His Lord was surely speaking.
JAMES S. DRAPER.
THE CHANGE CALLED DEATH.
O, restful change ! The softly-quiet folding
Of wings grown tired with beating earth’s thin air ;
Eyes closed to outward objects, yet beholding.
With inner senses, visions far more fair.
A burial this? Nay, an ascension rather.
Far, far above the narrow, shadowy tomb.
To reach in mansions of the good All-Father
Dear friends awaiting in their spirit home.
No gloomy tokens needed ! Strains funereal.
When heaven-bound souls put on their vesture bright,
^ To join the myriad throngs in worlds ethereal,
Grate harshly on their rapturous songs of light.
Could our dimmed eyes behold the happy meetings
Of the long parted, as they join above
In soul-felt welcomings and joyous greetings.
Where fear and doubt are lost in perfect love.
Or see as they on Tabor’s star-lit mountain
The white-robed visitors in trial hours.
Or yet again, as from some living fountain.
In lone Gethsemane those angel powers.
Then through our earthly, soul-encircling sadness.
Quick as the sun through rifted cloud appears.
Would break a light, a beaming flood of gladness.
To banish grief and dry our flowing tears.
Published in “ The Christian Kegister.”
168
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
GOING TO SLEEP.
Two tireless little feet all day have trotted
Across the parlor lloors ;
Two tiny dimpled hands have slyly plotted
Mischief behind the doors.
Two magic crystal orbs with watch unceasing
Their glance on all have flung ;
Two rose-red lips, their merry chattering, teasing,
In bird-like notes have sung.
Now, o’er those orbs, the drowsy lids are closing,
Bidding adieu to light ;
And lips, while hands and feet lie still reposing.
Have whispered their *• Good night.”
O blessed hour ! when soft-winged sleep descending.
Brings a desired release
To toil-worn mortals, all tlieir troubles ending
In sweet oblivious peace.
For He who ever guides the sunlight’s setting,
And gently veils the earth.
That deep repose may bring that self-forgetting,
Prelude to newer birth.
Will ever guard the tender infant’s slumber.
And send his angel bands
The midnight watch and dawning hours to number
With star-tipped wands.
Published in “The Religious Magazine.”
GROWING OLD.*
’Tis said — “ I’m old, and still am growing old,”
“ That four-score tells my count of bygone years.”
Well, so ! — But only half the truth is told.
And in the sketch but half the view appears.
Close now these eyes to all the solar rays :
From earthly sounds shut off the listening ear:
And lo ! what pictures wait the inward gaze.
What sweet-voiced harmonies, enrapt I hear !
The “ Long ago ” — its loveliest, purest, best, —
Unfolds in tints like sunset glories, bright;
Forgotten love-chords, waking from their rest.
Vibrate anew with tones of fresh delight.
*AVritten when in his eightieth year.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
169
My faltering footsteps, trembling, helpless hands.
Gray hair, deep wrinkles, cheeks with pallor clad,
My hour-glass token of swift running sands,
“ The last of earth ” so near, and oft so sad, —
These are not me ; O no ! they but enfold
My being true, — that inner life of mine —
Myself that cannot die, nor can grow old.
But soaring upward, ever grows divine !
With gladsome heart may I then tread the way.
Scattering the harvest grains of ripened truth
For others’ good ; and moving onward say
Earth may grow old, but Soul abides in youth.
SAMUEL D. ROBBINS.
• WAITING.
Yes, I can wait the hour sublime.
When Love shall triumph over time ;
When Truth’s bright banner all unfurled
Shall banish Error from the world.
Yes, — I can wait th’ appointed hour.
When Right shall be enthroned in power ;
When every form of wrong shall cease.
And rainbows span the earth with peace !
Yes, — I can wait till, darkness past.
The brilliant dawn shall break at last.
Fair herald of that better day.
When evil shall be done away.
Yes, — I can wait ; for in His hand
All things are safe ; — by whose command
The harvest never cometh late !
Patience! my spirit. Work and Wait!
FAITH AND SCIENCE.
Tell me not, brothers, that I should not pray
To God above,
Nor on his holy altar lowly lay
My lips of love ;
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
That there is no parental ear that liears
My earnest cry ;
No eye of mercy to behold my tears
(')f agony ;
No hand to hold me in the narrow way.
And lead me right,
Or sun of righteousness to send its ray
Through death’s dark Jiight ;
That only law is ruler, cold, austere.
Without a soul ;
That evolution builded sphere on sphere.
And guides the whole ;
For still my heart cries out, and not in vain.
To God for bread.
And blessings like this mild descending rain
On me are shed.
As from the gardens round, the flowerets lift
Their petals white.
Grateful to greet the glad’ning summer’s gift
Of soft sunlight.
So from my spirit’s depths to Him uprise
Affections sweet.
Till my life blossoms like a paradise
His smile to meet.
Faith sees what science never can impart ;
Life breaks the seals ;
And perfect Love, unto the pure in heart.
Its God reveals.
Written for “The Commonwealth.
EUTHANASIA.
The waves of light are drifting
From off the heavenly shore ;
The shadows all are lifting
Away forevermore I
Truth, like another morning.
Is beaming on m3' wa}^ ;
I bless the Power that poureth in
The coming of the day !
I feel a life within me
That years could never bring,
M}'^ heart is full of blossoming.
It yearns to meet the spring.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
171
Love fills iny soul in all its deeps,
And luinnouy divine
Is sweetly sounding from above —
A symphony sublime.
The earth is robed in fresher green,
The sky in brighter blue.
And with no cloud to intervene,
God’s smile is shining through.
I hear the immortal harps that ring
Before the sapphire throne ;
And a spirit from the heart of God
Is bearing up my own !
In silence on the Olivet
Of prayer, my spirit bends.
Till in the Orison of Heaven
My voice seraphic blends.
LYDIA MARIA CHILD.
TO THE TRAILING ARBUTUS.
Thou delicate and fragrant thing !
Sweet prophet of the coming spring !
To what can poetry compare
Thy hidden beauty, fresh and fair ?
Only they who search can find
Thy trailing garlands close enshrined ;
Unveiling like a lovely face.
Surprising them with artless grace.
Thou seemest like some sleeping babe.
Upon a leafy pillow laid ;
Dreaming, in thy unconscious rest.
Of nest’ling on a mother’s breast.
Or like a maiden in life’s IMay,
Fresh dawning of her girlish day ;
When the pure tint her cheeks disclose
Seems a reflection of the rose.
More coy than hidden love thou art.
With blushing hopes about its heart ;
And thy faint breath of fragrance seems
Like kisses stolen in our dreams.
172
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
Thou’rt like a gentle poet’s thought,
By Nature’s simplest lessons taught,
Reclining on old moss-grown trees.
Communing with the whisp’ring breeze.
Like timid natures, that conceal
What others carelessly reveal ;
Reserving for a chosen few
Their wealth of feeling, pure and true.
Like loving hearts, that ne’er grow old.
Through autumn’s change or winter’s cold ;
Ih-eserving some sweet flowers that lie
’Neath withered leaves of years gone by.
At sight of thee a troop upsprings
( )f simple, pure, and lovely things ;
But half thou sayest to my heart,
I find no language to impart.
THE WORLD THAT I AM PASSING THROUGH.
Few, in the days of earl}" youth.
Trusted like me in love and truth.
I’ve learned sad lessons from the years ;
But slowly, and with many tears ;
For God made me to kindly view
The world that I am passing through.
How little did I once believe
That friendly tones could e’er deceive I
That kindness, and forbearance long.
Might meet ingi'atitude and wrong !
I could not help but kindly view
'File world that I was passing through.
And though I’ve learned some souls are base,
1 would not, therefore, hate the race ;
I still would bless my fellow-men.
And trust them, thougli deceived again.
God help me still to kindly view
The world that I am passing through.
When I approach the setting sun.
And feel my journey nearly done.
May earth be veiled in genial light.
And her last smile to me seem bright !
Help me, till then, to kindly view
The world that I am passing through !
From a l’liotogra|iU by A. W. Ciittiii
HOME OF LYDIA MARIA CHILD. Wayland,
Fuom lX.'i2-I8Sn.
All eliu an<l willow towercil abovo
With bou«ihs lliat iiitiMiacod in love
As hearts entwined below.
Home
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
173
ALFRED SERENO HUDSON.
THE HOME OF LYDIA MARIA CHILD.
On sunny bank that sloped beside
The Musketahquid’s meadows wide,
The low-roofed cottage stood.
Plain, unpretentious, kept with care.
With garden decked with flowers rare.
It smiled on passer-by.
An elm and willow towered above
With boughs that interlaced in love.
As hearts entwined below.
About the door the climbing vine
Reached outward towards the soft sunshine
That fell with gentle ray.
Not far away the lilies grew.
With flowers of green and snowy hue.
Along a placid lake.
The blackbirds on the meadow near
Made music sweet both loud and clear
At break of early dawn.
At sunset hour the shadows long
Were mingled with their evening song.
Till day’s last fading ray.
When Autumn decks the far-off hills.
And purple haze the soft air Alls,
The scene how sweet, how fair.
Soft clothed with gold and silver shades.
The nearer landscape dims and fades
On meadows broad and brown.
While on the river’s winding stream
The silent waters faintly gleam
With light subdued and soft.
Near by the orchard, bending low
With many a richly laden bough.
Gave fragrance of rich fruit.
About the door the old folks sat
At twilight hour for social chat,
A loving couple true.
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APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
Their life was simple, quiet, kind.
As blessed inlluence left behind.
When they had passed away.
Dear spot, by pleasant memories blest
Of earnest hearts tluit sweetly rest
After life’s arduous toil.
A toil endured for souls distressed.
For race afllicted aud oppressed.
When few would render aid.
From “Home Melodies” [ IHliO],
MYSTERY.
Breaking sadly on the sea-sand.
Comes the moaning wave from far,
Bearing sometimes on its bosom
Piece of wreck or broken spar.
Whence it came, or what its story.
What it means, or how 'twas sent.
How long tossed on ocean hoary.
In strange mystery all are blent.
But we know it means a something.
Tells it of some distant land.
Whence has sailed a ship in beauty.
Fashioned by a master hand.
Fragment of it, tho’ it may be.
Long in clustering seaweed draped.
Scarred and worn by many a tempest.
Yet ’twas once in wisdom shaped.
So, when by life’s heaving ocean,
Hopes and aspirations grand
Come cast up as gems most precious.
Sent direct by heaven’s own hand.
Tell they truly, that the Author
Of our being here below,
Formed us in his image, perfect.
Him to love and hini to know ;
And that in the drifting surges
Of the seething tide of sin.
We have almost lost the beauty
We at first received from him.
From “Fireside Hymns” [1888].
APPENDIX TO TOE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
17
THE BROKEN HOUSEHOLD.
They are gone, the scenes of those distant days ;
With life’s merry morning they soon sped by ;
Yet they linger in memory as snnset rays
Are reflected in beauty on evening sky.
The home that once sheltered that household band
Was long since demolished from roof to sill;
Not a hearthstone escaped the destroying hand,
The site of the homestead to point out still.
And they too are scattered who once drew near
The fireside, as evening its mantle spread ;
The circle is broken, the loved and dear
Have joined the ranks of the silent dead.
The first, a fond mother passed over the tide.
And we wept at the sound of the boatman’s oar.
As it wafted her out on the river wide.
And we knew we should kiss her pale lips no more.
Another was summoned, a father dear.
Who had lovingly cared for that household band.
And our souls were sad as again drew near
The boat, that would take him to far-off land.
A brother was next to pass from our sight.
And narrow the circle more and more.
And again came the shadows of sorrow’s night.
As he too embarked for the golden shore.
Thus one by one they have broken away.
The fond, loved links of that golden chain.
And been taken to realms of endless day.
Until only two in this life remain.
But somehow we feel that that household dear
In another home will sometime be found.
Where the boatman’s oar we no more shall hear.
And friendship unbroken will there abound.
So waiting, we sometimes sit and think
Of what we have seen, and yet may see,
And trust, that when gathered beyond life’s brink.
We a happy household once more shall be.
From “Fireside Hymns.”
PART V.
Residence of James S, Draper,
Built ISuG.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
AND
HISTORY OF HOUSES.
BIOGRAPHY.
The following are Biographical Sketches of persons who have been residents of
Sudbury, and whose portraits are in this volume, and of Dr. Thomas Stearns, to whose
collection of historical manuscripts reference has repeatedly been made, and whose home-
stead is herein represented.
REV. JOSIAH BALLARD.
Josiah Ballard was born at Peterboro, N. H., April 14, 1806. He learned the mason's
trade, and worked at it for some years. Completing his studies at Munson Academy, he
entered Yale College and graduated in 1833. He studied theology two years with Rev. John
Whiton, D.D., of Antrim, N. H., and was licensed to preach in 1835. The same year he
married Elizabeth D., daughter of Dr. Whiton. He was settled at Chesterfield, N. IL, then
at Nelson, N. H. He was installed at Sudbury, March 3, 1841, and dismissed April, 1852.
He was afterwards settled at New Ipswich, N. H., and at Carlisle, Mass., at which latter
place he died, Dec. 12, 1863, aged fifty-seven. He had two children, Edward O. and
Catherine E., both born at Nelson, N. H. Mr. Ballard and his wife were buried at Carlisle,
but were afterward removed and laid, in accordance with their desire, in the New Maple-
wood Cemetery at South Antrim, N. H., occupying one of the fine family lots joining each
other. Mr. Ballard was much esteemed in Sudbury. His influence was widely felt, and the
remembrance of him was fondly cherished for many years after he left town. He was a
reserved, dignified man, rather grave in manner and a hard worker.
CHARLES L. GOODNOW.
Charles L. Goodnow, son of Nahum and Betsy Goodnow, was born at Sudbury, Mass.
He was educated in the common schools of his native town, and at the age of 18 went to
Boston. For some years he was engaged in the produce business at Boylston Market, and
known as an enterprising business man. After his retirement from business he remained in
Boston seven or eight years, at the expiration of which time he went to Sudbury, where he
lived until his death, which occurred Aug. 8, 1890. Mr. Goodnow was twice married. His
first wife was Ruth Lapham ; his second Harriet Brigham of Boston. By his first marriage
he had one child, Charles Frederick, who resides in Sudbury, and is engaged in the culture
of flowers and vegetables. Mr. Goodnow was a descendant of the Goodnow family which
came to America on the ship “ Confidence ” in 1638 (see pp. 2 to 10).
REV. ALFRED S. HUDSON.
Alfred Sereno Hudson, son of Martin Newton and Maria [Reed] Hudson, was born at
South Sudbury, Mass., Nov. 20, 1839. He attended the common schools until about the age
of seventeen, when he entered Wadsworth Academy, and soon after commenced preparing
for college. In 1860 he entered Williams College. In 1861, at the breaking out of the civil
war, he enlisted for three months in the “Wadsworth Rifle Guards,” the Sudbury company
of the Second Battalion of Rifles, Mass. Vol. Militia (see pp. 29 and 30). The company
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APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
not being called for that length of service, he returned to college to make up back studies
and go on with his class. From this time he met with various interruptions, occasioned
mainly by a lack of funds, which necessitated an absence from college in order to procure
the requisite means for pursuing his studies. Senior year was more broken than any that
preceded it. In the winter of that year he taught school in Philipston, Mass., design-
ing to join his class at the end of three months. Before the expiration of this term,
however, his brother, John P. Hudson of the Seventh Mass. Light Battery, returned on a
furlough, and soon became prostrate with a fatal disease which he had contracted during the
hardships of army life. Mr. Hudson, after finishing his school, went to Sudbury and took
charge of his brother until his death, which occurred March 7, 1864. He then returned to
college to make up “back studies” and prepare for Senior examinations prior to graduation,
which occurred the following July, after four years of contention against such circumstances
as perhaps but few have encountered in pursuit of a liberal education. He entered college
with means insufficient to meet the expenses of a single term, and worked his way through
with no assistance except that alforded by the college and the Education Society to students
who were fitting for the gospel ministry. A few days after graduation he started for the
South in the service of the United States Sanitary Commission. On arriving at New York
he found the way to Washington was obstructed by the raid of the Confederate forces upon
Baltimore, under the leadership of Col. Harry Gilmore, and so long was he detained there
that his scanty funds gave out, and but for the exchange of some old silver coin which he
happened to have with him, and which brought nearly three times its value in “greenbacks,”
he would have been obliged to return. He took the first train South after the rebel raid and
passed over Gunpowder river, the bridge of which the raiders had partially destroyed, on an
extemporized way. After a short stay in Washington he was ordered to the Army Hospital
at City Point, Va., at the junction of the James and Appomatox rivers, and a short distance
from Petersburg. While at this place he saw some of the horrors of war, in the scenes in
and about that large Hospital which received the sick and wounded of a large part of
the Federal forces, along the line at the front. The day was ushered in by the roar of
artillery, and evening was heralded by the same dull, heavy sound. During his stay at City
Point tlie famous “ Burnside Mine” was exploded. It was early on a still Sabbath morning
that the event occurred, and almost simultaneously arose the sound of scores of batteries
along both the Federal and Confederate lines which made for a time an almost unbroken roar,
such as lias perhaps seldom been known in the history of war.
After his service in the Sanitary Commission Mr. Hudson returned North and entered
Andover Tlieological Seminaiy, joining the smallest class of that institution since the year
of its establishment, he being the fourth member, notwithstanding he entered after the com-
mencement of the term. During his theological course he spent one vacation and part of the
following term in the service of the Maine Home Missionary Society, laboring with a small
church in the town of Denmark, Me. In 1867 he graduated with his class, and shortly after
entered upon the work of the ministry in the Congregational Church at Burlington, Mass.,
where he had preached a short time previous to his graduation. December 19 of the same
vear he was there ordained and installed as pastor. After a pastorate of about six years he
became acting pastor of the Congregational Church at Easton, Mass., where he remained
about two years. He then returned to Burlington somewliat impaired in health, where he
remained nearly two years, preaching occasionally in various churches. His third pastorate
was with the Maplewood and Linden Congregational churches in iMalden, Mass., during
which both churches erected their first houses of worship. In 1883, after remaining in
Malden about six years, during the most of which time he had the joint charge of both
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
179
churches, he moved to Wayland, but iu the Fall of the same year he received a call
to become pastor of the Congregational Church at Ayer, Mass., which call he accepted,
and which position he still holds. While in Malden he began the work of preparing
a “ History of Sudbury,” which he subsequently worked on at times for years. He also
occasionally gave lectures in his native town on the subject of town history. While at Ayer,
at the request of the committee, he wrote a history of the Congregational Church of that
place which contained about one hundred and fifty pages ; and also prepared a new code of
By-Laws for the church which were adapted to its conditions as an incorporated society,
which it became under Mr. Hudson’s administration. The “ History and By-Laws ” were
published by the church in 1887. In 1888 he wrote a small collection of poems entitled
“Fireside Hymns,” which were published the same year. In 1889 the town of Sudbury
published his “History of Sudbury,” which contained about seven hundred and fifty pages.
In 1890 he wrote a small book of poems, on subjects mostly relating to objects and events
connected with Sudbury and Wayland, entitled “Home Melodies;” also an article on the
“ Home and Home Life of Lydia Maria Child,” which was published in the New England
Magazine. The same year he was engaged by Lewis & Co. to write the histories of Sudbury,
Wayland and Maynard for their “ History of Middlesex County.” This work having been
completed, he commenced the preparation of a township history, to be entitled “ The Annals
of Sudbury, Wayland and Maynard,” which was published in 1891. During a somewhat
busy life as pastor and writer, the subject of this sketch has several times been interrupted
by short but painful seasons of illness On one occasion a severe attack of rheumatic iritis
was the occasion of several weeks of very severe suffering, attended by such inflammation of
the brain as caused his life to be despaired of, and necessitated several weeks’ absence from
home for treatment. But upon the removal of the local cause he returned to his former
robust condition of health and again went on with his usual work. In connection with other
duties he has found time to give special attention to the great cause of temperance reform,
and was for several years president of the Northwest Middlesex Temperance Union.
Mr. Hudson is descended from a somewhat hardy and long-lived family. On his father’s
side he is of the family of Hudson who early resided at Lancaster, Mass., some of whose
children were killed by the Indians in their raid on that town ; and on his mother’s side he
belongs to the old Reed family of Sudbury, of which Thomas settled at Landham in 1654,
and occupied land there which he purchased of his uncle, Rev. Edmund Brown, Sudbury’s
first minister. Sept. 26, 1867, he was married to Miss L. R. Draper, daughter of Ira and
Eunice [Rutter] Draper of Wayland. Mrs. Hudson is a descendant, on her father’s side, of
Ira Draper, a former resident of Weston and a prominent inventor. On her mother’s side
she is a lineal descendant of John Rutter, who came to America in the ship “ Confidence ”
in 1638. She has been a ready and efficient assistant in her husband’s pastoral and literary
labors, and has given a greatly added value to most of his published works. For thirteen
consecutive years Mr. Hudson has spent a part of each summer at Wayland.
SAMUEL B. ROGERS.
Samuel Barstow Rogers, son of Walter and Betsey [Barstow] Rogers, was born at
Waltham, Mass., Oct. 15, 1813. His natural inclination early led him to engage in business,
and a fondness for commercial activity and the promotion of manufacturing and mercantile
•enterprise in the community has characterized his useful life. For some years he was
engaged in the transportation and sale of western hogs, and before the construction of rail-
roads he caused droves of swine to be driven over the country roads from Ohio to the market
180
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
at Brighton, Mass. After the building of railroads he did an extensive commission trade in
both live and dressed hogs in New York Cit3'. About 1867 he retired from the hog trade and
became the head of the firm of S. B. Rogers & Co., manufacturers of “ Leather Board and
Shoe Stiffeniugs.” By judicious management this business has been a marked success; so
that from the modest beginnings at South Sudbury it has become a prominent and profitable
concern. Mr. Rogers has also been engaged in various other business enterprises; lie has
been a grocer, a grain dealer, and at one time the owner and manager of Pratt’s INIill, West
Sudbury ; and at present is one of the firm of “ llurlbut & Rogers,” manufacturers of
“ Cutting-off Lathes,” whose machine shop is at South Sudbury. Few men in such a long
business career have been better known for generous and fair dealing than the subject of this
sketch. By personal influence and substantial contributions he has sought to promote the
thrift of the community in which he has long dwelt. In politics he is an ardent Republican,
and among the town offices to which he has been repeatedly elected are those of treasurer
and collector. In 1840 he joined the Congregational Cluirch, and has been a faithful stand-by
of the Gospel ordinances, with a heart and hand always ready to promote what he considered
its best interests. Ilis habits have been exemplary, and notwithstanding the temptations in
the early times for drovers to use spirituous liquors, as they followed the large droves of live
stock in storm or sunshine over the rough country roads, Mr. Rogers proved a total abstainer.
While engaged in this business he was once on his way from South Sudbury to Brighton,
when, upon descending Sand Hill to the causeway over the meadows of Sudbury river, he
found that the flood of water was up to his liorse’s breast, and it being earl}' morning and
cold weather, was covered with thin ice. It was not characteristic of the man to take a back
track if the way could be opened in front, so taking his “steelyards,” which were used for
weighing hogs, in his liand, he walked into the cold water and beat a path through the ice
the entire length of the causeway. He then returned for his team, and walking beside his
horse led him safely across. When he arrived at the “ Pequod House ” in Wayland, cold
and wet, the landlord urged him, as a precautionary measure against sickness from such
exposure, to take a glass of “spirit.” He took it, but instead of emptying it into his
stomach emptied it into his boots.
On Nov. 30, 1837, Mr. Rogers married Eliza Jones Parmenter, daughter of Noah
Parmenter of Sudbuiy, and has had four children, — Alfred S., Bradley S., Melvina A.,
Atherton W. Atherton resides at South Sudbury, has held various town offices and is at
present chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Samuel Rogers has for the most of his
life made South Sudbury his home, going and coming in his earlier years as business would
allow. His father was born at Marshfield, Mass., Aug. 6, 1767, and came to Sudbury from
Braintree in 180 ). He purchased land which was formerly of the George Pitts place, which
was disposed of by the “Proprietors of Sudbury” in 1715. The old farm is at present
owned and occupied by Walter Rogers, a brother of Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B.
Rogers reside at their pleasant home at South Sudbury, and both, in their long, useful lives,
have gained many friends and have the univeral respect and esteem of the community.
HON. HOMER ROGERS.
Homer Rogers, son of Walter and Emily Rogers, was born at South Sudbury, Oct. 11,
1840. He studied at Wadsworth Academy, entered Williams College in 1858, and graduated
in 1862. Soon after leaving college he enlisted in Co. F., Forty-fifth Regiment M. V. M.
At the expiration of his term of service he taught school one year in Dowse Academy,
Sherborn, and from 1864-66 in the Natick High School, since which time he has been
i
Samuel B. Rogers.
Autotilviih riint. ir /'. Ml, ‘11. (iiinliwr. Mn.ss.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
181
engaged in business. Jan. 15, 1868, he married Ellen E. Perry, of South Natick, and has
had seven children. Mr. Rogers is a successful business man, and has for years been con-
nected with the firm of S. B. Rogers & Co., manufacturers of leather board. He is the
president of the Allston Co-operative Bank in Allston, Mass., which he was instrumental in
organizing, and a director of the National Market Bank of Brighton. In 1888 he was
elected Alderman of the Eleventh District of Boston, and re-elected the following year, at
which time he was chosen chairman of the board. He was largely instrumental in the
formation of the Congregational Church of Allston, where he now resides. He spends
part of the year at his summer residence in Sudbury, which is situated on the Boston and
Worcester county road, about a half mile from the South Sudbury Railroad Station.
THOMAS STEARNS, M.D.
Thomas Stearns was a son of Rev. Charles Stearns, D.D., who was the pastor of the
first church at Lincoln, Mass., for over forty-five years.
In 1812 he married Margaret L. Stevenson and settled in Vernon, Me., where he
remained until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1817. He afterwards went to
Sudbury, where he taught school for a time and practiced medicine. As a physician he had
quite an extensive practice that extended to the adjoining towns. He took a great interest
in matters of local history and collected old papers of various kinds relating to the history
of Sudbury, which have since been purchased by the town, and are those referred to in this
volume as the “ Stearns Collection.” He was a man of considerable ingenuity, and bound
several books of manuscript sermons of his father’s and also several scrap-books, writing
out index pages with great care. He was possessed of a lively temperament, and was
of a very positive nature. He had a high regard for obedience to the orders of a physician.
It is said of him that he was so vexed by not having his direction followed by the mother of
a sick child when it refused medicine, that he poured the contents of the phial over the child
and left the house. In 1828 he married for his second wife, Catheraine Prentiss, an estimable
lady of Sudbury, and in 1841 he married for his third wife Eloisa Moore, also of Sudbury.
He had five children — Margaret, Thomas, Charles, Catheraine and Frank. Three were by
his first marriage, the others by his second. His death occurred Julj^ 1, 1844, and his remains
were interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Sudbury. The second house west of the
Unitarian Church in Sudbury Centre was built, owned and occupied by him. The picture
of it in this volume was furnished by the liberality and public spiritedness of his grandson,
Thomas J. Stearns of Roxbury. The house, since the death of Dr. Stearns, was used as a
tavern by Webster Moore for several years, but for nearly the past quarter centuiy has been
a private residence.
Sketches of persons who have been residents of Wayland, and whose portraits, or
selections of whose poetry, are in this volume.
MRS. ANNA M. BENT.
The parents of Mrs. Bent were Nathaniel C. and Anna S. Dudle3^ She was born in
Wayland, March 26, 1845.
She was early known as an apt and diligent scholar, and at her graduation from the
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APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OK WAYLAND.
High Scliool in Saxoiiville was well prepared for the business of teaching, to which she gave
ill) mediate and successful effort. Educational interests were peculiarly dear to her, and her
influence in the schools of Wayland was of a high order. At the time of her death she held
the position of Chairman of the School Committee of the town.
Other fields of useful activity were found in the church, its choir, the Sunday school
and in society work generally, where good was to be accomplished. As a token to show her
inviolable integrity, she was, almost without exception, chosen treasurer of the societies to
which she belonged.
To trace in detail all the paths of duty in which she walked would require more space
than is here allotted. There is one, however, too prominent to be passed by. Nature gave
her a keen appreciation of music, and vocal power of a high order for its expression. The
use of these talents she freely gave. The private parlor, the concert room and the church
are her debtors, and there her name will be spoken with a hushed respect and love by all.
She was leader of the choir in Cochituate for twenty -five years, and often presided at the
organ.
It is safe to add that no woman has ever lived in the village whose life has been so
useful in every wa}’’, or whose presence will be so sadly missed us hers.
Her two children, six and eleven years old, died near the same time in 1876. Her
husband, i\Ir. James A. Bent, survives her. They were married April 4, 1864. Her death
occurred July 31, 1890. J. S. D.
JAMES M. BENT.
James Madison Bent, son of Capt. William and Polly Bent, was born in East Sudbury,
.May 19, 1812.
With a fair common school education he began business early in life as a cabinet maker.
At the age of twenty-one this occupation was changed for that of shoemaking. From very
humble beginnings he, with his brother William, conducted the business on such principles
as to inspire confidence, so that it became one of the most extensive and important of its
class in the State.
One factor in this success was his special talent for inventing labor-saving machinery,
the proofs of which may be seen in the extensive manufactory which he left.
Mr. Bent’s treatment of his employes has ever given them such satisfaction as to prevent
all resort to coercive measures in securing their rights. As a result of his success the locality
has risen from a mere hamlet of a few dwellings to a thriving and populous village.
As a citizen he has won high esteem for his enterprise and public spirit. A vein of
humor ran through his mental structure that gave a peculiar charm to his presence socially;
many a cloud has been dispelled by his facetious but courteous remarks.
Religiously, he made no professions of dogma, nor did he belong to any church. Yet
he was a regular attendant at public worship and paid liberally for its support.
He was a zealous politician, formerly a whig, but later and to the close of his life a con-
sistent republican. In town affairs important trusts were confided to him, and in the year
1856 he was a member of the lower house in the State Legislature. He deemed his most
important public work to be the initiating and carrying to completion the Cochituate system
of water works.
His marriage with Martha Trowbridge Damon occurred in 1837. He died July 24,
1888. Of his family two daughters survive him, and five sons who are engaged in carrying
on the business of their father. J. S. D.
Mrs, Anna M. Bent,
At the age of 4-3.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
183
JOSEPH BULLARD.
Joseph Bullard, the son of Jothain and Anna (Cutting) Bullard, was born in East
Sudbury, March 26, 1804. His marriage with Harriet, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth
Loker, occurred May 8, 1833.
At the age of twenty-three years he left home to carry on his grandfather Cutting’s
place, and on this farm he has lived to the present time, maintaining notable habits of
industiy, the results of Avhich are seen in the good order of his estate.
One remarkable thing relative to Mr. Bullard, is that through his long life lie has had
no occasion to call for a physician for himself but once ; and his health is still good, with
mental faculties ajiparently unimpaired.
Another fact worthy of record, is that in 1833 he was appointed sexton of the town ;
and with the exception of three and a half years ad interim he continued to discharge the
duties of the position with full acceptance until 1883. His account of burials shows the
number to be eight hundred and fifty.
It is further remarkable that no death has occurred in his own family, and only one on
the premises during his occupancy of sixty-three years. A worthy, venerable man of
simple habits, complacent disposition and quiet manners, beloved by his family and respected
by his town’s people. J. S. D.
MRS. LYDIA MARIA CHILD.
Lydia Maria Child, nee Francis, was born in Medford, Mass., February 11, 1802.
From her father, Convers Francis, she inherited large common sense and rare conscien-
tiousness, which in her were combined in a remarkable degree, with a clear, strong intellect,
a vivid imagination and'an earnest love of and longing for the beautiful.
Her education was limited to the public school and one year at a private seminary.
Her brother, Convers Francis, afterward theological professor in Harvard College, was of
great assistance to her in her studies, and she often kept pace with him in his college course.
At twenty she wrote her first novel, “Hobomok,” which became so popular that she was
encouraged to publish soon after The Rebels, a Tale of the Revolution.” Other works
from her pen followed in quick succession. Her “Juvenile Miscellany,” the first periodical
ever written exclusively for children, she published from 1826 to 1834.
It is not too much to claim that she was at this time the most popular literary woman
in the United States, and the “North American Review,” the highest literary authority of
the country, said of her : “We are not sure that any woman in the country could outrank
Mrs. Child. Few female writers, if any, have done more or better things for our literature.”
In 1828 she married David Lee Child, a young and able lawyer, a union which proved
to be one of rare love and sympathy for nearly fifty years.
In 1831 and 1832 both became very much interested in the subject of slavery, through
the writings and personal acquaintance of William Lloyd Garrison. Comparatively young,
she now stood in the front ranks of American writers ; her books had a large circula-
tion both North and South. Indeed, her popularity was so great that the Trustees of the
“ Boston Athenceum,” the highest Literary and Art Association in that city, sent her a free
ticket (the only one ever given to a woman), investing her with all the rights of a stock-
holder save that of voting.
In 1833 she roused the country by the publication of her first Anti-slavery book, “ An
Appeal in Behalf of that Class of Americans Called Africans.” It is utterly impossible for
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APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
any one at the present time to realize the costly sacrifice she made when she espoused the
unpopular Anti-slavery cause and gave to the world that book in behalf of the American
slave.
Her life-long friend, Wendell Phillips, has said of her : “ Hardly ever has there been
so costly a sacrifice, and of all the noble band of Abolitionists I know of no one who made
so great a sacrifice as Lydia Maria Child.”
For that she gave up not only the highest literary fame and social position, but friends
who had vied in doing homage to her genius refused to recognize her ; indeed, her very
means of support were cut off, as the sale of her books was almost entirely stopped, and she
had great difficulty in finding a publisher who was willing to risk his popularity by issuing a
book written by her.
Even the Boston Atheincum recalled the ticket given her, and, as she writes, “ A few
days after the Appeal was published I received a note from the Trustees, informing me that
at a recent meeting they had passed a vote to take away my privilege, lest it should prove
an inconvenient precedent.”
From that time lier life was a constant warfare against popular prejudice, and for the
sake of the enslaved she gave up the literary seclusion so dear to her and went rough-shod
through the sternest and bitterest controversy of the age. She never wavered, never knew
compromise, but went with brave heart and unfaltering step to the end, willing —
“ To see her fresh, sweet flower of fame
AVither in blight and blame.”
While faithful to what she considered her life work, Mrs. Child was by no means a
reformer of one idea, but took an active interest in every question that concerned humanity :
Prison Reform, Peace, the Welfare of the Indian, the Woman Question, including the right
of suffrage.
Under all the disadvantages of literary ostracism and popular disfavor she found time to
write “ Philothea,” a cliarming Greek romance, and other books, showing that the stern war-
fare in which she was engaged had not lessened her literary ability and strength, and that
the pen that hurled such terrible rebukes against oppression and wrong could record with a
toucli both delicate and graceful the inspiration of beauty and art so in harmony with her
own soul. Her greatest literary Avork Avas the “ Progress of Religious Ideas,” in three
octaA^o volumes, a Avork which required great research and labor. It Avas no mere intellectual
effort, but Avas the outgroAvth of her own deep nature, so in sympathy Avith all religious
beliefs, Avhether Christian or Pagan, Avhich she placed side by side and gave to each full credit
for sincerity.
For a series of years, in connection Avith her husband, she edited the “ Anti-slavery
Standard.”
In 1852 Mrs. Child removed to Wayland, that she might care for her aged father. In
her humble home in that quiet toAvn, remote from the great world, her pen Avas neA'er idle,
and no one did greater service to the cause of freedom in the fearful struggle that convulsed
the nation.
She Avas so Avise in counsel that Charles Sumner, Gov. Andrew, Henry Wilson, Salmon
P. Chase and others sought her advice on the most important political questions.
She practised the most rigid personal economy, but spent thousands for the slave, the
soldier and the freedman, giving the whole amount ($4,000) from the sale of “Looking
ToAvards Sunset” to the Sanitary Commission. She took a deep interest in the little town,
L Maria Child,
At the age of 63.
- ^ 1
k
'1
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
185
always willing to aid with money anything for its welfare, leaving in her will a sum for the
town Library. The reformed inebriate was cared for by her.
She passed quietly away on October 20, 1880, at the ripe age of 78.
Sarah Maria Parsons.
THOxMAS J. DAMON.
Thomas Jefferson Damon was a farmer of the farmers, his ancestry for many genera-
tions having followed that occupation, and for five generations on the same farm on which
he lived.
Success attended him from the beginning, but the appearance of his fields, buildings
and all their appurtenances, toward the close of his life, showed that he stood in the front
rank of his town, if not in the county. From a very early date in his life he took a deep
interest in agricultural shows, obtaining first premiums on stock, skill as a plowman and on
products of the farm.
He was among the original founders of the Middlesex South Agricultural Society, and
was for three years its president. He rose yet higher in public estimation, and was appointed
a member of the Mass. Board of Agriculture in 1878, which office he retained until his death.
The following extract from the proceedings of the Board points to his value as a member.
At a meeting of the Board, Dec. 1, 1880, it was “ Resolved, that the members of the
Mass. Board of Agriculture, having to-day heard of the serious illness of Mr. Thomas J.
Damon, our colleague, hereby direct the Secretary to cany to him this expression of our
sympathy, and the hope of his speedy restoration to health.” On this resolution IMr. J. B.
Moore said : “ I have known Mr. Damon as one of the best practical farmers in Middlesex
county. I can say that the Board has had no more useful, practical member than he, and
that his example as a farmer has done a great deal for the farming interest in that section in
which he lives.”
Mr. Damon’s reputation for integrity was unquestioned. He was a worthy and respected
citizen to whom was entrusted many important town offices. Politically he was a Democrat
in his later years, and as a religionist always a Unitarian.
He was born in East Sudbury, July 7, 1809, his parents being Isaac and Martha (May-
nard) Damon. In December, 1834, he married Rachel Thomas of his native town, who
survives him with one son and two daughters.
His death occurred Dec. 7, 1880. J. S. D.
JAMES DRAPER.
James Draper was born in Dedham, Mass., May 28, 1787. His parents were Ira and
Lydia (Richards) Draper. His marriage to Elizabeth Sumner of Dedham occurred Jan. 14,
1809. Until this date his life had been spent on his father’s farm.
At this time he came to East Sudbury, having purchased what is now the Bryden farm
in Wayland, and erected new buildings thereon.
During the war of 1812 he was enthusiastic in its prosecution, executing large contracts
to supply the Charlestown Navy Yard with ship timber, and in 1814 he enlisted as a soldier
and was stationed for duty at Fort Warren.
The general appearance of his estates bore evidence of his ambition to excel, and of his
skill in agricultural practice. One way in which his energy spent its force was in purchasing
estates in order to demolish old buildings and erect new ones, or remodel and renovate
others, thirteen instances of which occurred during his life.
186
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
About the time of liis second marriage (see sketch of iMrs. Nabby A. Draper) he made
vigorous and successful efforts to introduce into tlie cloth factories of the Eastern and
Middle States the “Revolving temple,” an invention by his father.
He ranked among the leaders of public sentiment in the community. Accustomed to
dwell on the bright and hopeful side of things, his presence tended to give a cheering glow
wherever he moved. His dail}" motto was, “It will all come out right.” His gift of $500
to the town in 1863 for a permanent Library fund attests his public spirit in that direction.
In state and national affairs he was remarkably well-informed. Next to religious duties
in importance he placed those of the citizen to his country. His general political policy may
be inferred from the facts that in 1808 he voted for James Madison for President, and for J.
Q. Adams in 1824. In 1840 he was a delegate in the National Convention to nominate W.
1 1. Harrison, and he was with the National Republicans through the civil war.
In ear(y life he united with a church of Calvinist creed, but evidenth' held the doctrines
in abeyance ; in the times of free discussion he took the liberal side. He filled the position
of Deacon in the First Church in Wayland (Unitarian) 43 years. His devotion to the inter-
ests of religion was earnest and sincere. lie gave the First Parish $500 as a permanent fund.
On the tablets of memory his name will represent sterling integrity, persistent energy
and broad beneficence. His death occurred Dec. 5, 1870, leaving one son as the remnant of
his family. J. S. D.
JAIMES S. DRAPER.
James Sumner Draper, son of James and Elizabeth (Sumner) Draper, was born in East
Sudbury (now Wa3dand), Aug. 18, 1811. He was educated in the common schools of his
native town, with the addition of two academical terms. Farming has been his chief occu-
pation, although he taught school when a 3’oung man, and occasionally engaged in land
surveying. He has taken an active interest in the public schools, and in the \Va3dand Public
Librar3% of which he was librarian for twent3" 3^ears. While in this position he did much to
promote its interests, and the results of his valuable services will long be remembered.
He has been closeU identified with public improvements, and with plans instituted for the
promotion of the business enterprise and thrift of the communit3'. A letter written by him
to a gentleman in Barre, in 1867, was said to be the initial step which resulted in the organi-
zation of the Central Massachusetts Railroad Compan3a During twelve years he was a
member of the board of directors, and devoted his best efforts to the construction of the
road.
He has written occasionally for the press, and edited the work entitled “ Wayland in
the Civil War,” of which mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He has been much
interested in researches relating to the histor3' of his native town, results of which have
occasionally been published. In politics he was first a Whig, then a member of the Free
Soil partv while that part3’ existed, and in 1860 became a National Republican. During the
civil war he was an uncompromising Unionist, although previousl3' opposed, on principle, to
the use of armed force in the settlement of disputed questions.
In matters of reform he has been of the liberal school. In 1833 he was an ardent anti-
slavery man, and he has been and still is an advocate of “woman’s rights.” In religious
matters he has been nominally associated with the Unitarian denomination, but has also been
known as an enthusiastic Spiritualist. Concerning this he states : “ During more than forty
years I have carefully investigated the merits of Spiritualism, and I am in full belief of the
truth of its most important claims, and of their value to man in his present stage of existence.”
He still further says: “A peculiar feature in my mental structure became prominent from
James Draper,
At the age of 80.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
187
the earliest independent action of my mind, to wit: an inclination not to rest satisfied with
present conditions, and a correlative disposition to be on the lookout for the newer, and, as I
believe, the better unfoldings that relate not only to man’s external life, but to the interior —
the immortal.”
He has been three times commissioned Justice of the Peace, and has held various offices
of responsibility and trust in his native town.
August 18, 1834, he married Emeline Amanda Reeves of East Sudbury (deceased 1875),
and has had five children, all of whom are living.
At the age of fourscore years Mr. Draper is still vigorous, and takes a lively interest in
public affairs.
MRS. NABBY ALLEN DRAPER.
Mrs. Nabby A. Draper, youngest daughter of Josiah and Deborah (Day) Allen, was
born in East Sudbury, Jan. 16, 1782.
Quite early in life she entered the home of Hon. William Winthrop, of Cambridge, as
his housekeeper, where she constantly remained until his death in 1825.
She was united in marriage to James Draper, June 15, 1826.
In 1854, conjointly with her sister. Miss Debby Allen, she gave to her native town one
thousand dollars as a permanent fund, the interest of which is to be annually distributed to
the needy poor. It is known as “The Allen Fund.”
She was blest with remarkable health, having never employed a phy.sician until the last
year of her life. Her death occurred on the eighty-seventh anniversary of her birth.
“ Mrs. Nabby A. Draper was truly a remarkable woman. They who knew her best and
longest could never see her without feeling the peculiar attraction of her presence, her intel-
lectual vivacity and soundness of judgment, making her always an entertaining companion
and wise counselor ; while her cordial manner, perfect frankness and sweetness of spirit gave
to her the charm of childhood up to the last year of her long life.
***********
“ The closing scenes were beautiful and fitting. In perfect peace and trust, in thought-
ful care for others, full of tenderness and truth, she passed serenely away, leaving aji ever-
fragrant memory full of good deeds, sweet affections and rare and well-earned happiness.”
From an obituary at her death.
J. S. D.
WILLIAM R. DUDLEY.
Willia'm Rice, son of William and Unity Rice Dudley, was born March 6, 1807. He, as
his father and grandfather, first saw the light within the present limits of Wayland. His
marriage with Mary Prescott, daughter of John Sherman of Lincoln, occurred in May, 1833.
From his earliest years his interests were thoroughly identified with the interests of his town,
and things personal were laid aside whenever, by his labors or his counsel, he could bring
advantage or gain to town or State, whether in the promotion of temperance, economy,
probity, or in simple administrative detail. In early life a mechanic, he took unfailing
pleasure, later, in the nearness to nature which farm life brought him. Deeply imbued with
democratic ideas, j^et when the nominal Democracy yielded to the dictation of the Slave
power he was of the first who entered the opposing ranks, and until his death, Oct. 20, 1886,
his faith in the Republican party remained unshaken.
A member of the Unitarian church, he was a constant attendant on its ministrations
while health remained ; and with no controlling desire for the accumulation of wealth or the
188
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
possession of power, his belief tliat tlie “ life is more than meat ” gave him a cheerfulness of
mien that characterized the major part of his life, and his ever-ready stories will remain a
pleasant memory to those with whom he was allied as relative, friend or neighbor.
L. A. 1).
EMMA LUCILLA FULLER.
Emma L. Fuller was born in East Sudbury, Sept. 30, 1833. She was a daughter of
Walter and Elmira [Griflin] Reeves, and her birthplace aiid early home was at the house
westerly of Reeves Hill, in which the “•Old Reeves Tavern ” was long kept Iw her ancestry.
She married Rev. Arthur Ruckminster Fuller, who during the civil war was for a time chap-
lain of the Sixteenth Mass. Regiment, and who died at Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 11, 18(5:2.
The most of her life since her marriage has been spent at her home in Cambridge, where
she now resides. She has two children, Richard B., born Feb. 13, 1861, and Alfred B., born
Feb. 12, 1863.
RICHARD F. FULLER.
Richard Frederick Fuller, youngest son of lion. Timothy and Margaret [Crane] Fuller,
was born at Cambridge, Mass., May 15, 1824. In 1835 his father died, and at the age of
eleven years he resolutely started for a college education. In the preparatory studies he
received much aid from his sister Margaret (afterward Countess d’Ossoli). He graduated
from Harvard in 1844, and after studying law with his uncle, Henry Fuller of Boston, Mass.,
was admitted to the bar of Suffolk County in 1846. He occupied his uncle’s office for a few
years subsequent to his death, and afterward removed to Pemberton Square as his place of
business until his own death.
In 1849 he was united b}" marriage to Sarah K. Batchelder, residing in Salem for two
years, and theil at Reading, Mass., until 1854, when he purchased a small farm at “ Tower
Hill " in Wayland. The death of his wife occurred about a year later. His second marriage
was in 1857 to Adeline R. Reeves of Wayland.
Mr. Fuller was a man of industrious and economical habits, resulting in commendable
thrift : but he held his pecuniary accumulations in control of an unselfish and large-hearted
spirit that found its bliss in blessing others. In his profession he was extremely scrupulous,
never allowing himself to aid any form of injustice, declining absolutely any class of business
that he considered dishonorable, and being delighted by amicable adjustments of business
disputes.
At the commencement of the civil war he was declared to be physically exempt from
military sei'vice, yet he voluntaril}' furnished a good substitute. His natural sympathy for
the oppressed necessarily made him an Auti-slaveiy man, and consequently a Rejjublican in
politics.
He was a member of the (so called) “ Christian Church,” and his creed was simple and
liberal as the gospel itself. As his chosen church had no organization in Wayland, (luring a
portion of his residence there he found the ministrations of Rev. Dr. Sears congenial, and for
a considerable time was superintendent of the Sunday school in his parish.
In his family, as husband and father, he is remembered with an affection and admiration
that the lapse of a quarter-century seems to have increased rather than diminished. His
fondness for children was a marked characteristic; his delight in having them about him
and in joining in their pastimes continued unabated through his busiest years and to the close
of his life. The silver cord was loosed ” May 30, 1869. A son and daughter by his first
marriage, with his five other children and their mother, survive him. J. S. D.
William R, Dudley,
At the age of 45.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OE WAYLAND.
189
ABEL GLEZEN.
To any one who has lived in Wayland during the last fifty years the mention of the
name will bring to mind several persons so closely identified with the town and associated
with its life, so fairly representing its social characteristics, as to make their names almost
synonymous with Wayland. Some of these aiipear in these pages, and their features look
out to us again with the old-time kindliness, or strength, or sagacity, recalling cherished
iiitercourse or valuable public services in the past which have done so much to make the
history of the town dear to its children.
Among these honored names is that of Abel Glezen. Born in the town, his whole life
passed in it, he stands its worthy representative. He was one of the last of the old Way-
land “land-marks,” men of the last generation, who were universally known and respected,
and whose memories are valuable legacies to those who were associated with them.
lie was born .March 8, 1803, of old New England stock, his parents being Reuben and
.Mar\ [Paine] Glezen. His life-long patriotism received early encouragement fiom the
.stones told him in his youth by his grandfather and others, participants in the resistance to
the British at Concord and Lexington, and the subsequent events of the Revolution.
His early life was passed at home on his father’s farm. When a young man he taught
school tor nine successive years, during the winter months, in his native and in neighboilng
towns, and was remarkably successful, his own love of honor and sincerity appealing to that
of his pupils and finding a ready response. ”
He was married Sept. 13, 1832, to Elizabeth Hale Mann of Oxford, N. H., and con-
tinued to live on the home farm, where fifty years later, in 1882, was celebrated their golden
wedding.
Abel Glezen possessed a singularly kindly and affectionate disposition, gentle in manner
yet just to stern severity. Always of a commanding presence, he was until in his later life,
wheii an accident compelled the u.se of a cane, remarkably upright in his carriage. Devoted
to his friends, enjoying nothing more than the extension of the hospitality of his home,
extremely fond of children, ever retaining the dignity and courtesy of the old-school gentle-
man, his character may well stand as representative of the best life of an old New En<>land
town.
Of him It may be said that not only did he enjoy life, but he enjoyed living. Simple
and alistemious ni his habits, of a strong and rugged constitution, he found in neigliborlv
intercourse. Ill his friendships, in real interest in the yearly round of farm work, and in his
me domestic animals, more^ than contentment and happiness. A great lover of horses, his
judgment and knoudedge of them were highly prized.
While not seeking official distinction, he faithfully and conscientiously fulfilled the duties
o the various town offices which he was called to assume, and in the vears 1840, 1844 and
184o served as representative at the State Legislature.
llius his useful but unassuming life was spent. A good townsman, a reliable neighbor,
lUKl a friend to every one. For many years his venerable but upright figure in his old-
aslmmed chaise, or, seated with a grace a young man might covet, on his fine horse, was one
of the most familiar sights in tlie streets of the town.
He died heb. 2, 1890, mourned as few men are bj^ all who had known him, and leavino-
the memory of a just, a strong and a gentle character. A. W. (’
190
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
NEWELL HEARD.
This name is strong!}' associated witii a building known for nearly a century as “The
Old Red Store.” It stood iVonting the street on land near the present Railroad Station. It
was built in two parts, the older portion being originally a sclioolhouse. It still exists as a
carriage house on the premises of L. K. Lovell.
In this building Mr Heard, after having served elsewhere an api)renticeship as carj)en-
ter, began the business of trade in such miscellaneous articles as are usually found in country
stores, adding at one time a de[)artment of “ Dry Goods ” He remained here in business
u[)wards of forty years, and until about two years of his death. As a merchant his reputa-
tion stands untarnished.
During a period of thirty-eight years he held the position of Postmaster, greatly to the
satisfaction of the citizens, although through the marked political distinctions of nine
national administrations — from that of J. Q. Adams, when he was first apj)ointed, to Abra-
ham Lincoln — he was an outspoken and consistent politician. His tall form, as he stood
behind his desk and with steady voice recited the letter list of daily anivals, will be long
remembered He was held in sincere respect by all.
He was a son of Zechariah and Abigail [Damon] Heard, born in East Sudbury, Dec. lb,
1788. He married Jerusha Grout, April 30, 1822. His death occurred June 14, 186b. He
left one son and one daughter. J. S. 1).
RICHARD HEARD.
The home of Deacon Heard’s parents was on “The Island,” where he was born Sept.
3, 1787. His mairiage with Abigail Rice occurred Feb. 23, 181b; his golden wedding was
celebrated in 186b. Early in life be left the farm to learn the carpenter's trade in Waltham.
After marriage, the native town was chosen for the new home, where, alternately, as circum-
stances required, farming and carpentry occupied his attention while he lived.
He was a man of great physical endurance, indefatigable industry and strict integrity in
all his engagements. Honesty was not simply the best policy with him, — it was his absolute
rule of life. Success, to him, was found in being useful.
•Mentally, he was of the rationalistic order. To know the reason of things was a delight,
and when reason decided against a proposition, appeals for his support were in vain, whether
in religious creeds, political plans, or in the common concerns of life. He was endowed with
a strong faculty of caution. He was a good listener. But any sophistical attempt of a
speaker served only to sharpen his power of detection. His earnest attention to 2)ulpit dis-
courses will be long remembered. The soul seemed on the utmost stretch of alertness lest
it should miss some helpful ray of light.
His usefulness in the affairs of the town was marked. His knowledge of pauper laws
iHpialled that of many lawyers. His simplicity and kindness of heart won many friends in
social life. He was a Deacon in the Unitarian Church about forty-three years. His transit
trom this world occurred Nov. 4. 1872, leaving his wife, whose decease followed in 1873.
J. S. D.
HORACE HEARD.
Horace Heard was boin in East Sudbury (now Wayland), Oct. 16, 1804. He was the
youngest son of David and vSibyl (Sherman) Heard. He married Eliza A., daughter of
Luther and Nabby (.Staples) Gleason, and had four children — Eliza, Theodore, Leander,
f
Horace Heard,
At the age of 08.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLANI).
191
Emily, the last named being the only survivor of Ids family, lie spent his entire life in his
native town, holding her lionor sacred by filling the offices of trust given him with the
strictest integrity. He received his first appointment as deputy sheriff June 19, 1837, which
was retained for over twenty years, during which time he made life-long friends with some
of the best legal minds of that period. In 1872 he represented the town at the General
Court, and held, all other town offices for long terms, being town treasurer eleven years.
Mr. Heard took a deep interest in public affairs during Ids entire life. He was in early
life a Whig, and since 1860 a Democrat.
His religious associations were with Unitarians, and the First Parish of the town received
his liberal support. He was a man of strong mind and large heart, of whom it could be said,
“ His word was as good as his bond.”
REV. JOHN BURT WIGHT.
“Rev. Henry Wight” of Bristol, R. I., “was a man of amiable disposition, of meek
and quiet temper and truly catholic spirit. He was a good representative of the best tvi)e of
New England character, physically, mentally and morally. His figure was erect, his bearing-
noble and dignified, and his manners kindly and courteous.”
Such is the testimonial given half a century ago to the character and personnel of the
father of Rev. John B. Wight ; and so perfectly applicable is it to the son, that it is here
transferred to him, with a single addition, as very complete. An esfimable lady writes in
1882: " At 92 he is a grand wreck, yet still the courtly gentleman. To see his profound
salute to a lady is a picture; and although the mind is slipping away, he invariably greets
every visitor in the most graceful and deferential manner.”
His preparation for college was complete at the age of twelve. He entered Brown
University at fourteen, and graduated at the head of his class in 1808. In 1816 the degree
of A.M. was conferred on him by Harvard University. His ordination as the minister of the
church in East Sudbury, in the new meeting-house,* occurred Jan. 25, 1815. His doctiinal
views at that time, as appears from a printed creed, though of liberal cast, were not entirely
divested of Calvinistic tints, which gradually faded until about 1825, when his Unitarian
sentiments became so transparent as to cause dissatisfaction, and an actual rupture in the
church two years later.
After a service of fifteen years, during the first twelve of which the utmost harmonv
prevailed, his official charge terminated at his own request. Subsequently Mr. Wight
preached for societies in Castine, Me., Milford and Amherst, N. 11., and North Dennis, Mass.
In 1842 he returned to Wayland, which he always regarded as his home, where the remainder
of his life was spent.
Of his usefulness as a citizen of the town much could be said. He was called eaily to
the chairmanship oi the school committee. He evidently did not coincide with the senti-
ment that —
“ A little learning is a dangerous thing,”
for he introduced into tlie district scliools such studies as Astronomy, with Natural and
Intellectual Philosoph}^ that the incipient buds of those nurseries might be slightly develoj)ed
towards great [)ossibilities, the results of which were esteemed excellent. A scholar of those
days well remembers the impressive manner with which, in his school visits, he used to incul-
cate views of the “ Creator’s power, wisdom and goodiress ” drawn from the wondrous facts
'of the starry heavens.
*Tlie fiftli in lineal order from the original in Sudbury in 1G4;J.
f
1!)2 A1M‘EXI)IX TO THE ANNALS OE WAYLANI).
lie l)e]ieve(I in hooks us u means of (lisseminatin^ knowledge, and immediately after Ids
settlement he l)e‘>an collecting volumes for the '■ East Smlhurv Cliaritahle Lihrarv ” (our lirst
free public library). ke])t at his house for the use of the citizens. In the formation of the
present Public Library Mr. Wight was among the foremost in rendering service. His most
important work in this direction will be remembered as Ids elTort in the .Massacliusetts Legis-
lature of IHol (of wddch he was a member), in preiiaring and presentitig a bill whereby
cities and towns were enabled to establish and maintain libraries at the public expense, the
lirst of its kind in the conntiy.
His later years were passed tpiietlv in his home, under very strict conformity to the nat-
ural laws of health, with wldch he always endeavored to comply. " Decay stole very gently
upt)n him, until without any local disease his strength pa.ssed."
His birth occurred at Hristol, R. I.. .May 7, 17b(); his marriage with Sarah Grout, Jan.
1, 1818; his demise Dec. 20, 188J. J. S. D.
JOHN N. SHERMAN.
Mr. Sherman is a native of this town, born July 15, 1808. He fills a place in the
seventh generation, from Capt. John Sherman, the first immigrant of that name to this
countrv, who settled in Watertown. ITis parents were Luther and Rebecca (Wheeler)
Sherman. His marriage with ('elinda Griffin occurred April 20, 1834.
Habits of industry and economy were earh’ formed. Education was secured at the
common school, with two Academic terms in the town of Stow, to pay for which he borrowed
money until he could earn it.
At the age of twenty he began a successful course of winter-term school teaching, and
pursued this calling during twentj'-one consecutive years in his own and adjoining towns,
two and one-half years of which were in a yearly school at Charlestown.
It was not difficult for his associates to discern in him one in whom they could repose
confidence : hence his fellow-citizens have frequently, and during a long [)eriod of time,
honored him with responsible official trusts. His geinal but firm manner of presiding at
town and other public meetings are fresh in memory. On school and libraiy committees his
inlluence was marked ; but on boards of selectmen his labors, esi)eciall3’ during the civil war,
may well be characterized as in a high degree prompt, energetic and faithful. In 18G3 he
was appointed by State authority an enrolling officer.
In 1^53 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives by Democratic votes.
In ISfiO he joined the National Re[)ublican party, and in 1809 was again sent to the State
Legislature.
His views on the temperance question have been clearly defined, and his efforts earnest
for their dissemination to suppress the evils of inebriet}'.
He united with the Grthodox Church in 1829, and became one of its chief supporters
while he remained in town. In 1872 he vacated his home in Wa^dand, and has since then
resided in Walpole, Mass., where he has been a useful and highly respected citizen.
J. S. D.
EDMUND H. SEARS.
Noth. — The following is an abridgineiU of a more complete sketch published in the “History of Middlese.x
('onnty, ISlK)," Vol. I., p. .oOi), by permission of the publishers of that work. See also partial sketch on pp. .58-9 in
the body of this work.
Edninnd Hamilton Sears, the 5'oungest soti of Joseph and Lucv (Smith) Sears, was born
it! Satidislield, Mass., April 0, 1810. As a boy, while on his father's fiirm, he was serious-
d
John N, Sherman,
At the of 80.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYI.AND.
193
minded, fond of study and given to writing [)oelry and sermons. He entered the Sophomore
class at Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., at the age of twenty-one, and stood high as a
scholar through his collegiate studies.
Among his classmates at the Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., from wliich
he graduated in 1837, were H. \V. Bellows, D.D., and R. P. Stebbins, D.D.
He was ordained as minister of the First Church in Wayland, Mass., in 1831), and the
following year he accepted a call to the Unitarian Church in Lancaster, Mass. After a most
happy but laborious ministry of seven years he returned to Wayland with impaired health,
and resorted for a time to agricultural pursuits for its restoration. In 1848 he resumed his
ministry to his former church in that town, and during the seventeen years of its continu-
ance he was happy and successful in his work. Here, in 1853, he encountered the deepest
grief of his life, in the death of his only daughter at the age of ten years.
In 1865 he was installed as colleague of Rev. Dr. Field, in Weston, Mass., upon whose
death, in 1869, he became sole minister. The ten years he spent here were exceedingly
pleasant and happy ones, enriched by a tour to Europe in the summer of 1873.
Mr. Sears is well known as a writer upon religious themes, and besides many sermons
and discourses he published the following volumes: “Pictures of Olden Time,” 1853;
“Regeneration,” 1853; “ Foregleams of Immortality,” 1858; “The Fourth Gospel the
Heart of Christ,” 1872; “Foregleams and Foreshadows of Immoitality ” (revised from
former work), 1873; “Sermons and Songs,” 1875; “Christ in the Life,” 1877. Some of
his lyrical pieces are well known, especially the two Christmas hymns.
In anti-slavery and war times he composed several stining songs which were often
quoted, particularly the one on the death of John Brown.
He was senior editor of the “Monthly Religious Alagazine ” for many j'ears. “More
than any man of his day, he held convictions and made statements which commanded the
assent of considerable numbers of thoughtful and cultivated persons outside of the religious
l)ody to which he belonged.”*
Mr. Sears stands as a remarkable man among his compeers, not because of the greatness
and scope of his j^owers in general, but rather from the depth of his })oetical and spiritual
insight. This rare gift of seeing the spiritual in the natural was exceptionally profound, and
its fruits are seen not only in his rhythmic lines, but in all his best and most effective pi'ose
works. He divined truth with wonderful quickness, yet he was not a visionary ; whatever
he thus foresaw was held in abeyance until confirmed by reason. Hence his religious works
have a unique and peculiar character, especially the one on the Fourth Gospel. The style is
fervid aud {)oetic, the religious feeling strong and even intense, yet no conclusions are reached
that are not logically defended.
His poetic nature gave also to his character a degree of fineness that drew close around
him many appreciative friends, though it was not clearly understood by some of a different
mould.
He was in sympathy with the earlier leaders of the Unitarian movement, though not
led by them, for he reached his most cherished convictions by his own independent think-
ing. But to the last of his life he affirmed his loyalty to the Unitarian body, and his gratitude
to it for the freedom it had always allowed him.
.As a citizen he was prominent and active in the affairs of town, state and nation. He
raised the standard of schools, and gave to the young people of his pastorates valuable
stimulus and help. In great national crises his voice was heard from the pulpit declaring
with power, — as in the “ United States Fugitive Slave Law,” — “that when the human and
Ii)4
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OE WAYLAND.
Divine laws were in conilict it is the duty of all to obey the latter.” Ills sermon on “ Revo-
lution or Reform ” so commended itself to the anti-slavery leaders that an edition of many
thousand copies was printed and circulated.
Mr. Sears received the degree of D.D. from Union College in 1870. His marriage to
Ellen, daughter of Ilou. Ehenezer Hacon of Ihirustahle, Mass., occurred in 1880. He died
•Jan. 16, 1876, at his residence in Weston, after a long and painful illness.
SAMUEL D. ROBBINS.
Samuel Dowse Robbins, second son of Abba Dowse and Peter G. Robbins, M. D., was
born in Lynn, Mass., March 7, 1812.
He craduated at the Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge in 1838, and was ordained
as pastor of the Unitarian Church in his native town November 13 of the same year, where
he remained for seven years. His next pastorate was in Chelsea, Mass., which was retained
during ten years. In 1853 he became pastor of the church in Framingham, Mass , which
l)osition he held fourteen years. In 1867 he became the minister to the First Church in
AVavlaud, from which he retired in 1873 to his farm in Concord, Mass , and from thence to
a home in Belmont.
iMr. Robbins was a man of marked characteristics. In his social ministries, while at
Wayland, no shadows could abide in his presence. From his lips, notwithstanding all due
restraint, an almost unceasing overllow of mirthfulness made Gladness his constant attend-
ant. Fervenc}' and earnestness of spirit were his prominent characteristics in the pulpit.
Many of his sermons seem to have been written while seated on the bordeis of spiritual
worlds, in view of their splendors. At the house of bereavement nothing could exceed the
tenderness of his sympathy ; the consolations given on such occasions can never he forgotten
by the recipients.
He received the degree of A.M. from Harvard College in 1865. He was devoted to the
cause of education, and served on school committees in his several pastorates more than forty
years.
Of his poetry it has been said: '■* From time to time he has sent to magazines and papers
hymns and sacred poems of great excellence, d'hey are full of devout and tender sentiment,
are finely expressive of Christian trust and love, and have inet a warm response in the liearts
of their readers.” *
His marriage to Mary E. Rhodes of Boston was in December, 1833. His death occurred
at Belmont, Mass., Aug. 17, 188-1. The burial was at “ Edged Grove Cemetery,” Framing-
ham, IMass. J. S. D.
MRS. ABBY^ B. HYDE.
Abhy, daughter of Asahel J. and Abigail (Rogers) Bradley, was born in Stockbridge,
-Mass., Se})t. 28, 1790. She had a frail constitution, and her health from childhood was
delicate. In early life she manifested an intelligence and a literary taste unusual for a
person of her years. Sept. 28, 1818, her nineteenth birthday, she was married to Rev.
Lavius Hyde, formerly a teacher in her native town, but who a short time previously had
been ordained to the ministry, in Salisbury, Conn. In 1823 Mr. Hyde removed to Bolton,
Conn., and eight years later to Ellington, Conn., in both of which places he had charge of
the Congregational Church. July 22, 1835, he became pastor of the Evangelical Trinitarian
Cliurch in Wayland, Mass. Subsequently he removed to Becket, and after eigbt years, at
* Alfred Putuain in “Songs of the Liberal Faith.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
195
tlie age of sixty, returned to Ids former charge in Bolton. During the long years of her
husband’s life in the gospel ministry Mrs. Hyde proved an efficient and faithful helper. Her
name at Wayland is associated with pleasant years, and the sweet characters of herself and
her husband were as silent j)reachers in the community long after their bodily presence had
passed from the place. At an early age she commenced the writing of poetry, and in after
years became prominent as a writer of sacred hymns. Some of these wei-e first published,
but without her name, in Dr. Leonard Bacon’s “ Monthly Concert Hymns,” printed at
Andover, Mass. Subsequently, the authorship having been made known to Dr. Nettleton,
on the publication of his book entitled “ Village Hymns,” he solicited of Mrs. Hyde selec-
tions for his forthcoming work, and received a contribution of nine. “ He also charged
her,” says the writer of her husband’s biography, “ to aim at additional hymns for a new
edition, the preparation of which he entrusted by will to Mr. and Mrs. Hyde, which con-
tains forty-three from her, mostly written during his life and approved by him. Of some in
the first edition he wrote her, “ I know of none which have been .more useful.” In all of
her hymns, besides the beauty of felicitous expression and the display of fine poetic taste,
there is manifest a richness of religious fervor, and firm, abiding faith in her Saviour, such as
ever characterized the author’s experience. Her hymns were based upon the great truths of
a purely gospel theology, and were the outgoings of an experimental knowledge of Him in
whom she heartily believed and always put her trust. Perhaps the most popuhu- of her
hymns in the present day, and the one oftenest found in the modern hymn-book, is that
beginning with the lines, —
“ Dear Saviour, if these lambs should stray
From thy secure enclosure’s hoiuid.”
This hymn of itself, if she had written no other, would be a sufficient memorial. But
if the present generation prizes this abov'e all the other productions of her ready mind, there
are other gems that sparkled among the choicest poetic thoughts and had a marked spiritual
influence in the generation in which she lived. April 7, 1872, Mrs. Hyde passed away.
Her death, like her life, was a triumph of faith. All that day, which was Saturday, she was
planning that she might not detain any one from the service of the Sabbath to follow ; “ hut,”
said the narrator, “with the morning light slie had "fallen asleep.’” About a year before
the event of her death she wrote a hymn, of which the following stanza was almost pro[)hetic
of the scene on that peaceful Sabbath after she had thus fallen asleep in Jesus: —
“tVe saw, by morning’s early light.
Upon tliy marble brow the trace.
As from glad vision of Ilis face,
Sim of the world where is no night.
Gone was the impress there of pain.
Which thou shouldst never know again.”
d’he life of this somewhat remarkable woman may perliaps best be expressed by giving
the opinion ot an early friend, as written to her children — that she was a model of faithful-
ness in all duties relating to her family and friends, and “ a model in her quietness of spirit,
combined with such intelligence and mental culture. Whenever I was with her she always
impressed me as in all respects the best example of a follower of the Lord Jesus whom it
was my privilege to number among my friends.” Truly it may be said in this connection.
“ 1 he precious memory of the just shall flourish though they sleep in dust.”
196
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
EDWAHI) MELI.EN.
Among the citizens of Wayland who have attained eminence the name of Edward
Mellen stands prominent.
Ilis professional studies were pursued chielly in tlie ollice of Samuel Hoar, in Concord,
and he was admitted to the bar in Middlesex Comity in 1828. After a brief practice in Ea>-t
Cambridge he opened an office in East Sndbui-y, which thenceforward became his home
He gradually rose to distinction, and in iSdo was appointed Chief Justice in the ('onrl of
Common Pleas, which position he held until the dissolution of that branch of the judiciary.
Unfamiliar with professional life, the writer is happy to avail himself of the testimonials
of Judge -Mellen's associates for opinions relative to his character and endowments as a
J urist.
“At a meeting of the Bar of Middlesex the following action was tfvken :
“ Unsolved, That as members of this Bar we deeply de[)lure the death of lion. Edward
Mellen, formerly Chief Justice, who for more than twelve years, by his (piiet bearing, untir-
ing industry, pure character and courtesy of manner, adorned and dignilied the Bench.
“ liraohed. That in view of his position as a leading member of this Bar, and of his
faithful and able services on the Bench, it is eminently fit and proper that we should bear
our testimony to his eminent worth and character.”
From remarks made on the above occasion the following selections have been made :
“ He loved the law. With no pretensions to genius, by hard study and constant effort
he won his way u[)ward to great legal ability.”
“ He brought to the Bench a large experience, a judicial mind well trained by study and
discipline, and an irreproachable character.”
“ A more patient, painstaking, conscientious magistrate, one more loyal to law and to
litigant, never presided over a judicial tribunal.”
But Mr. .Mellen had other fields of labor and secured other trophies. He held for many
years a place of trust in his Abyia Mater.
Hi s mental structure was like the Tuscan order of architecture — strong, massive, simple.
His })ublic addresses, not less than his pleas in court, were free from sophistry, and were pre-
sented in a manner that attested the sincerity of the speaker. Court and hall were moved not
by ilorid display, but liy the power of compact logic. Yet, in the unrestrained conditions of
home and the .social circle, there was an eas}’ play of mirthfnlness and a brilliancy of wit
that gave a peculiar charm to his presence; while from his richly-stored memory gems of the
poetry he loved would often be poured out to give additional delight.
He was interested in Biblical studies and a firm believer in Unitarian doctrines. Politi-
cal affairs did not much trouble him, but in the quiet of his adopted town his influence was
deeply felt, and his effective work wdll descend in imperishable legacies. He raised its
schools to a degree of excellence never before attained and not since exceeded. In the
founding of its Public Library the part he took has never been fully disclosed to the public.
It chanced that tlie writer was the first Wayland citizen to meet him on his return from
commencement exercises at Brown University, in 1847. At this interview, under the seal
of privacy, he disclosed the following facts : “ President Wajdand has proposed to give the
town of Wa3'land the sum of |i500 ; and on consulting me as to the form in rvhich the gilt
should be made, I suggested that of a Public Library, to which the President readily
acceded.” Thus originated our much-valued Librarv. But the work of Judge Mellen did
not end here. He planned a method by which the citizens were to take an active part in
duplicating the gilt of President Wayland, and it was a grand moment in his life when, on
Edward Mellen,
At the age of 4-2.
i
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OE WAYLAND.
197
presenting the whole matter to a crowded liall of his fellow-citizens, he found them ready
with one voice to accept and ado[)t it. His labors, also, in selecting and purchasing the
books were invaluable.
On leaving the bench Judge Mellen opened an office in the city of Worcester. But in
1872 the necessity of absolute rest from legal cares and labors became imperative. Disease
was close upon him. The office was closed *and his active life-work completed. He retired
to his loved home and there awaited the final transit, which came Maj^ 31, 1875.
The parents of Judge Mellen were Joshua and Elizabeth (Comey) Mellen. His marriage
with Sophia Whitney, of Cambridge, occurred May 17, 1831, who, with two daughters, still
survives him.
Note. — See also partial sketch of Judge Mellen on p. 58 in the body of this work.
J. S. I).
LUCY A. LEE.
Lucy Ann Lee, daughter of Cyrus, Senior, and Sarah (Hagar) Lee, was born in Weston,
Mass., Oct. 2, 1819. Not long after, her parents removed to East Sudbury, where the
remainder of her life was chiefly spent.
Her mental powers matured earl3\ and in girlhood she showed signs of a contemplative
mood beyond her years, which gradually ripened into deep religious feeling, with an almost
Puritanical strictness of moral life ; she found judgments against herself that her friends
could not appreciate ; j^et her trust was strong in proportion, so that a placid cheerfulness of
character was the result.
She was never in robust health, and diseased conditions became apparent ere middle life
was reached. It was during periods of enforced relaxation that her poetic talent was
developed ;. it never became a passion with her, but it was a kindly solace in painful and
sleepless hours. Not many of her lines have been printed except for use on special occasions.
During a large portion of her life she was afflicted with acute pain from sensitiveness to
light, and for nearly ten years was compelled to shield her eyes by a thick veil. During her
last year of life her eyesight was practically useless.
“ My Veil,” the last of her poetic effusions, bears pathetic reference to her deprivation
so long and patiently borne. Her death occurred April 16, 1889. J. S. D.
'THOMAS W. PARSONS.
Thomas William Parsons is ranked among the foremost of living American poets.
In the “Songs of Three Centuries,” edited by John G. Whittier and published in 1881,
are poems of two authors who have re.sided in Wavland, viz., E. H. Sears, D. D., and
T. W. Parsons. The selection from the poetry of the former is “Christmas Hyipn.” and the
selections from the hitter are “Campanile Di Pisa’ and “On a Bust of Dante.” In 1872 a
collection of poems, entitled “The Shadow ot the01)eli.sk and Other Poems,” by Dr. Parsons,
was published in London, and in 1875 “The Willey House and Sonnets,” by the same author,
was published at Cambridge. iMass.
Before the old “Howe Tavern ” of Sudbuiy was closed to the jinblic as a place of enter-
tainment and boarding. Dr. Parsons at times resided there as a summer boarder, and it is
said that it is due to the description given Iw him to Mr. Longfellow that the “ Howe,” or
“Red Horse Tavern,” was made famous b}- the author of “Tales of a Wayside Inn.” The
poem entitled “The Old House in Sudbury Twenty Years Afterwards” relates to this old
198
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
hostelry, as Joes also the one called “ Guy Fawkes Day," the first verse of which is as
follows ;
One fifth of N'oveinher when meadows were hrown.
And the eriinson woods withered round SudVmry town.
Four lads from the city which Holmes I'alls the best.
At an old tavern met for a whole day of rest."
For many years he has spent j)ortions of his time in Wayland, residing on the “ Island,”
or •' Farm," as a boarder at the Col. David Heard place. This is an old homestead on the
brow of the hill just beyond “Farm Bridge." It overlooks the broad meadows and the
winding river course, and is situated under the shadow of a statel} elm, beneath whose
spreading branches generations have sat. It is to this quiet, rural retreat that he refers in
the following verses from his poem entitled. “To Heniy Wadsworth Longfellow."
" Think not that this enchanted isle
Wlierein 1 dwell, sometimes a king,
Postpones till .June its tardy smile,
And only knows imagined spring.
" Not yet my lilies are in bloom ;
But lo ! my cherry, bridal-white,
Whose sweetness fill.« my sunny room.
The bees, and me, with one delight.
"And on the brink of Landham Brook
The laughing cowslips catch mine eye,
■Vs on the bridge I stop to look
■Vt the stray blossoms loitering by.
Our almond-willow waves its plumes
In contrast with the dark-haired pine.
And in the morning sun perfumes
The lane almost like summers vine.
“ Dear Poet! shonldst thou tread with me.
Even in the spring, these woodland ways,
Under thy foot the violet see,
Vnd overhead the maple sprays,
“Thou mightst forego thy Charles’s claim.
To wander by our stream awhile;
So should these meadows grow to fame.
And all the Muses haunt our Isle.
WAYL.VSI), MASS.VCHUSETTS.”
EART.Y GRANTEES.
Biographical Sketches of the Early Grantees of the original territory of the Town
of Sudbury, who permanentl}' located on the east side of the river, or probably resided
there until they engaged in the colonization of other places.
PETER NOYES.
Peter Noyes came from England in the ship “Confidence,” 1638. He is called “yeo-
man ” in the ship’s passenger list, but is repeatedly mentioned in the records of this country
as “gentleman ; ” and the term “ Mr.” is often applied. After a short stay in America, he
returned to England, but came back the next year in the ship “Jonathan,” with, it is sup-
posed, other children, viz., Nicholas, Dorothy, Abigail and Peter; also the servants John
Waterman, Richard Barnes and William Street. Mr. Noyes was a freeman May 13, 1640, a
selectman eighteen years, and represented the town at the General Court in 1640, ’41 and
’50. He died Sept. 23, 1657. Three years before his death he gave his estate in England
to his son Thomas. The day before his death he made a will in which he made his son
Thomas his executor, and named the following other children : Peter, Joseph, Elizabeth
(wife of Josiah Haynes), Dorothy (wife of John Haynes), Abigail (wife of Thomas Plymp-
ton), his daughter-in-law Mary (wife of his son Thomas), and his kinsman Shadrach Hap-
good The Noyses have lived in various parts of the town. The mill on the west side was
built by them. Prominent members of the family are buried in the Old Burying-gronnd,
Way land.
THOMAS NOYES.
Thomas Noyes. (See sketch of Peter Noyes.)
HUGH GRIFFIN.
Hugh Griffin (or Griffing) was a freeman in 1645, and held the office of the first town
clerk in Sudbury. The Colony Records state that, in 1645, Hugh Griffin was “appointed
clerk of the writs in place of Walter Haynes.” He married Elizabeth Upson, a widow, who
had one daughter by a former marriage. He died 1656, and left a will in which are mentioned
as his children, Jonathan, Abigail (born Nov. 16, 1640), Sarah (born Nov. 20, 1642), Shemuel
(born Jan. 9, 1643, O.S.), and also Hannah, daughter of his wife by her former marriage.
Among his descendants was Rev. Edward Dorr Griffin, D.D., who was a professor of Sacred
Rhetoric at Andover, a pastor of Park-Street Church, Boston, and third president of Williams
College. Dr. Griffin was born at East Haddam, Conn., in 1670, and graduated at Yale Col-
lege in 1790.
SOLOMON JOHNSON.
Solomon Johnson became a freeman in 1651. He was twice married, his first wife, Han-
nah, dying in 1651. By this marriage he had three children, Joseph or Joshua and Nathaniel,
who were twins (born Feb. 3, 1640), and Mary (born Jan. 23, 1644). He married for his
second wife Elinor Crafts, by whom he had four children, Caleb, who died young, Samuel
(born March 5, 1654), Hannah (born April 27, 1656), and Caleb (born Oct. 1. 1658).
200
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
He assisted in the formation of the Marlboro Plantation, and was assigned a house-lot of
twenty-three acres there. He was selectman from Idol to 1666. His son Caleb purchased,
with Thomas Brown and Thomas Drury, the Glover farm near Cochituate Pond, of John
Appleton, Jr. Upon this land Caleb erected a house near Dudley Pond, Wayland, and died
there in 1777. In the inventory of his real estate one piece of land was “ Beaver-hole
meadow.”
WILLIAM WARD.
William Ward came to this country about the time of the settlement of Sudbury, bring-
ing with liim, it is supposed, five children, John (born 1626), Joanna (born 1628), Obadiah
(born 1632), Richard (born 1635), and Deborah (born 1637). He became a freeman in
1643. By his second wife, Elizabeth, he had eight children born in America, Hannah (born
1639), William (born Jan. 22, 1640), Samuel (born Sept. 21, 1641), Elizabeth (born April
14, 1643), Increase (born Feb. 22, 1645), Hopestill (born Feb. 24, 1646), Eleazer (born
1649), and Bethia (born 1658). In 1643, Mr. Ward represented the town as deputy to the
General Court. He was prominent in helping to establish a plantation at Marlboro, and
moved there in 1660. He was made deacon of the church at its organization, and was sent
as representative of the town in 1666. He died there Aug. lt», 1687, leaving a will made
April 6, 1686. His wife died Dec. 9, 1700, at the age of eighty-six.
ANTHONY WHYTE.
.-Vnthony Wh3’te (or White), aged twentv-seven, came from Ipswich, County of Suffolk,
Eng., in 1634. He came to this country in the "Francis,” went to Watertown, and subse-
quent!)' engaged in the enterprise of a settlement at Sudbury. Afterwards he returned to
Watertown. He married Grace Hall. Sept. 8, 1645, and had three children, all born in
Watertown; viz: Abigail, John and Mary. He died March 8. 1686, leaving a will, of which
Rebecca, widow of his son John, was named executrix.
THOMAS WHITE.
Thomas White was a freeman May 13, 1640. He was a selectman in 1642, and shared
in the first three divisions of land.
JOHN PARMENTER, SR.
John Parmenter, Sr. (Parmeter or Permenter) came from England to Watertown, and
from there to Sudbury, and was made a freeman May 13, 1640. He was accompanied to
America by his wife Bridget and his son John, who became a freeman May, 1642. Other
children may have come from England with them. His wife died April 6, 1660, after which
he removed to Roxbury, Mass., where he married Aug, 9, 1660, Annie Dane, widow of John
Dane. He died )Iay 1, 1671, aged eighty-three. Mr. Parmenter was one of the early
selectmen, and second deacon of the church, to which office he was chosen in 1658. Sept. 4,
1639, he was appointed one of the commissioners to lay out the land.
JOHN PAMENTER, JR.
John Parmenter, Jr., was also an early proprietor, and kept a tavern, or ordinary, at
which the committee of the Colonial Court and Ecclesiastical Council for the settlement of
difficulties in Sudbury, in 1655, Avere entertained. The old ordinary was situated on the
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
201
south street of the settlement, on the house-lot assigned at the general allotment of 1639.
And until near the beginning of the present century tlie “Old Parmenter Tavern” was con-
tinued at the same spot, a little westerly of the house occupied by the late Jonathan D. Par-
menter. John Parmenter, Jr., had six children, among whom was one named John. His
wife, Amy, died in 1681. The Parmenter family have lived in various parts of the town,
and been a people of industry and thrift.
EDMUND RICE.
Edmund Rice was born in 1594, and came to this country from Barkhamstead, Hertford-
shire, Eng. He was twice married. His first wife, Tamazine, died at Sudbury, where she
was buried June 18, 1654. His second wife, whom he married March 1, 1655, was Mercie
(Hurd) Brigham, widow of Thomas Brigham of Cambridge. He had twelve children, nine
of whom were born in England, and the others in Sudbury • Henry (born 1616) ; Edward
(born 1618); Edmund; Thomas; Mary; Lydia (born 1627); Matthew (born 1629); Daniel
(born 1632) ; Samuel (born 1634); Joseph (born 1637); Benjamin (borii 1640); Ruth (born
1659); and Ann (born 1661). Mr. Rice died May 3, 1663, at Marlboro, aged about sixty-
nine, and was buried in Sudbury. His widow married William Hunt of Marlboro. Mr. Rice
was a prominent man in the settlement. He early owned lands in and out of the town, some
of which came by grant of the General Court. His first dwelling-place at Sudbury was on
the old north street. Sept. 1, 1642, he sold this place to John Moore, and Sept. 13 of the
same year leased for six years the Dunster Farm, which lay just east of Cochituate Pond.
He bought of the widow Mary Axdell six acres of land and her dwelling-house, which were
in the south part of the town, and some years afterwards he bought of Philemon Whale his
house and nine acres of land near “ the spring ” and adjacent to the Axdell place ; and these
taken together, in part at least, formed the old Rice homestead, not far from the “ Five
Paths.” This old homestead remained in the Rice family for generations. Edmund sold it
to Edmund, his son, who passed it to his sons John and Edmund, and afterwards John trans-
ferred his share of it to his brother Edmund, by whom it passed to others of the family, who
occupied it till within the last half century. On Sept. 26, 1647, Mr. Rice leased the “ Glover
Farm ” for ten years, and April 8, 1657, he purchased the “ Jennison Farm,” which comprised
two hundred acres, situated by the town’s southerly boundaiy, and between the “ Dunster
Farm” and what is now Weston ; and June 24, 1659, the “Dunster Farm” was purchased
by Mr. Rice and his son. He was one of the substantial men of the Sudbury plantation.
He was a freeman May 13, 1640, and was one of the committee appointed by the Colonial
Court, Sept. 4, 1639, to apportion land to the inhabitants. He served as selectman from
1639 to 1644, and was deputy to the General Court several successive years. He was prom-
inent in the settlement of Marlboro, for which he was a petitioner in 1656. The Rice family
in Sudbury have been numerous, and the name has been frequently mentioned on the town
books.
HENRY RICE.
Henry Rice was the son of Edmund (see sketch of Edmund Rice), and was born in
England, 1616. He was assigned a house-lot on the south street of the settlement, adjacent
to that of John Maynard on the east, and his father, Edmund, on the west.
HENRY CURTIS.
Henry Curtis (or Curtice) had his homestead on the north street of the settlement,
probably about where, until within nearly a half century, an old house called the Curtis
202
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAY LAND.
house stood Ilis descendants liave been conspicuous, not only in town history, but also in
that of the county and colony. Ephraim, his son, was a famous Indian scout. Major Curtis,
whose grave is in the west part of the “ Old Burying-ground,” was a distinguished citizen.
JOHN STONE.
John Stone came to Sudbury from Cambridge, and was son of Dea. Gregory Stone, of
that place. He was born in England, and accompanied his father to America. lie married
Ann, daughter of Elder Edward llowe of Watertown, and had ten children, most of whom
were born in Sudbury. He was at one time an elder in the church, and in 1055 was town
clerk. He was an early settler on land now in Framingham, and at one time owned the laud
that is now included in Saxonville. It is supposed when the Indian war began he removed
to Cambridge. He was representative of that town in 1682-83. He died May 5, 1083, aged
sixty-four.
JOHN RUTTER.
John Rutter came to America in the ship “ Confidence,” in 1638 at the age of twenty-
two. He married Elizabeth Plympton, who came to this country in the shij) “ Jonathan,”
in 1030, having as fellow-passengers Peter Noyes, who was on his second voyage to America,
and also the mother and sister of John Bent. John Rutter had a house-lot assigned him on
the north street, a little westerly of Clay-pit Hill. He was by trade a carpenter, and
engaged with the town to build the first meeting-house. He had three children, Elizabeth,
John, and Joseph. About the time of the settlement several acres of land were given him
by the town, in acknowledgment of some public service. He was selectman in 1075.
JOHN LOKER.
John Loker was assigned a house-lot just west of the meeting-house, where he lived in
a house with his mother as late as 1678. The town purchased of him at that date, for a par-
sonage, the east end of his house, together with an orchard and four acres of land, and the
reversion due to him of the western end of the house, which his mother then occupied. It is
said that before 1652 he married Mary Draper. Families by the name of Loker have lived
within the original limits of Sudbury since the days of its settlement, dwelling for the most
part in the territory now Wayland, and more especially in the southern portion. Isaac Loker
was captain of a troop of Sudbury men on the memorable 19th of April, members of his com-
pany coming from both sides of the river.
HENRY LOKER.
Henry Loker was perhaps brother of John.
JOHN MAYNARD.
John Maynard was a freeman in 1644. It is supposed he was married when he came to
this country, and that he brought with him his son John, who was then about eight years
old. Perhaps .there were other children. He married for his second wife Mary Axdell, in
1646. He had by this marriage Zachery (born June 7, 1647), Elizabeth, Lydia, Hannah,
and Mary, who married Daniel Hudson. Mr. Maynard was one of the petitioners for Marl-
boro, and died at Sudbury, Dec 10, 1672. The Maynard family has been prominent in
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
203
the town, and honorably connected with its annals. Nathaniel Maynard was captain of a
company in the Revolutionary War.
PHILEMON WHALE.
Philemon Whale was in Sudbury in 1646. He was a freeman May 10, 1688, and Nov. 7,
1649, married Sarah, the daughter of Thomas Cakebread. His wife died Dec. 28, 1656;
and Nov. 9, 1657, he married Elizabeth Griffin. He owned land in various parts of the
town, but his early home is supposed to have been not far from the head of the mill-pond.
Afterwards he built a house in the neighborhood of the “ Rice Spring.” A culvert or biidge
near the mill-pond is still called “Whale’s Bridge;” but the name, except as it is thus pei’-
petuated, is now seldom heard within the limits of the town.
JOHN SMITH.
John Smith was at Sudbury in 1647. He may have been John Smith, an early settler
of Watertown, or a relative of his. His wife’s name was Sarah. He had assigned him lot
No. 29 in the second squadron of the two-niile grant. The name Smith has been a common
one in town. Capt. Joseph Smith commanded a company from Sudbury on the 19th of
April, 1775. The Smiths have lived in various parts of the town, and were early settlers
of what is now Maynard ; the names of Amos and Thomas Smith being prominent among the
pioneers of that part of Sudbury territory. A descendant of the Smiths on the east side of
the river is Mr. Elbridge Smith, formerly principal of the Norwich Free Academy, and
present master of the Dorchester High School.
JOHN GROUT.
John Grout came from Watertown to Sudbury about 1643, and about the same time
came into possession of the Cakebread Mill, and was allowed by the town “ to pen water for
the use of the mill ” on land adjacent to the stream above. The name of his first wife was
Mary, and for his second wife he married the widow of Thomas Cakebread. He had ten
children, two of them by his first marriage, John (born Aug. 8, 1641) and Mary (born
Dec. 11, 1643). His children by his second marriage were John, Sarah (who married John
Loker, Jr.), Joseph, Abigail (who married, in 1678, Joseph Curtis), Jonathan, Elizabeth
(who married Samuel Allen), Mary (who married Thomas Knapp), and Susanna (who
marrried John Woodward).
THOMAS CAKEBREAD.
Thomas Cakebread was from Watertown, and became a freeman May 14, 1634. In
1637 he married Sarah, daughter of Nicholas Busby. He was for a while at Dedham, and
subsequently at Sudbury, where he died Jan. 4, 1643. He erected the first mill at Sudbury,
for which the town granted him lands. The Colony Records state that, in 1642, “ Ensign
Cakebread was to lead the Sudbury company.” Ilis widow married Capt. John Grout, and
his daughter Mary married Philemon Whale, at Sudbury, Nov. 1, 1649.
THOMAS KING.
Thomas King was at Sudbury near 1650. In 1655 he married Bridget Davis. He
owned land in the fourth squadron of the two-mile grant, his lot being No. 50, and adjoining
204
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
the cow-peii in the southwest part of the town. He was one of the petitioners for the plan-
tation of Marlboro, in 1656, and was on the first board of selectmen of that town.
PETER KING.
Peter King was at Sudbury not far from 1650. He was a man of some prominence in
the town, being a deacon of the church, and a representative to the Colonial Court in
1689-90. He was one of the contracting parties for the erection of the second meeting-
house. Peter King’s homestead was probably not far from the town bridge, on the east side
of the river, a place on the river not far from this point being still called “ King’s Pond.”
The name King was often spoken in earlier times in the town ; but perhaps not in the mem-
ory of any now living have any descendants of these early inhabitants, of this name, lived
there.
JOHN WOODWARD.
John Woodward, at the age of thirteen, came to this country in the ship “Elizabeth,”
in 1634. He was accompanied by his father, and was for a time at Watertown. His wife’s
name was Mary, and they had a son, born March 20, 1650, who it is supposed died young.
He went to Sudbury, where his wife died July 8, 1654. He afterwards moved to Charles-
town, and there married Abigail, daughter of John Benjamin, widow of Joshua Stubbs. He
returned to Sudbury, and by his second marriage he had three children, — Rose (born
Aug. 18, 1659), John (born Dec. 12, 1661), and Abigail. He was a freeman in 1690, and
died at Watertown, Feb. 16, 1696. John Woodward received in the division of the two-mile
grant lot No. 41, adjoining that of John Moore, in the fourth squadron. The name appeared
from time to time in the earlier annals of Sudbury, but has for many years ceased to be as
familiar to the town’s people as formerly. Daniel Woodward, who died in 1760, built a
mill on Hop, or Wash, Brook, in 1740; and about one hundred and fifty years ago he also
erected the house occupied by Capt. James Moore of Sudbury, who is one of his descendants.
HUGH DRURY.
Hugh Drury was in Sudbury as earl}’ as 1641, and was by trade a carpenter. He mar-
ried Lydia, daughter of Edmund Rice, for his first wife, who died April 5, 1675; and for his
second wife, Mary, the widow of Rev. Edward Fletcher. He had two children, John and
Hugh. After dwelling in Sudbury for a time, where he bought a house and land of William
Swift, he removed to Boston, and died July 6, 1689, and was buried in the Chapel Burying-
ground with his wife, Lydia.
EDMUND BROWNE.
Edmund Browne. (See pp. 18, 40.)
JOHN BENT.
John Bent. (See pp. 2, 105.)
JOHN MOORE.
John iMoore was at Sudbury by 1643, and may have come to America from London in
the “ Planter,” in 1635, at the age of twenty-four, or he may have arrived in 1638. He was
twice married, his first wife’s name being Elizabeth, and he had several children. His second
wife was Ann, daughter of John Smith. His daughter Mary married Richard Ward, and
Lydia (born June 24, 1643,) married, in 1664, Samuel Wright.
f
;
Sudbury Centre.
See page 207.
HISTORY OF HOUSES AND STATEMENTS RELATING TO PICTURES.
TAVERNS.
Tlie “ Wayside Inn.” (See page 33.) — The picture of this house, which is used as a
frontispiece, was made from a pliotograph.
The picture entitled “ Wayside Inn and tlie Ancient Oaks,” is from a wood engraving
made for the “ History of Sudbury,” the original of which was a photograph.
THE GEORGE PITTS TAVERN.
The “ Old George Pitts House,” or tavern, was a little southerly of the late residence
of Christopher G. Cutler, Esq. At this house, town meetings were sometimes held in the
early part of the eighteenth century, and there, money was granted for the support of
preaching on the West Side (see page 21).
THE SOUTH SUDBURY TAVERN.
This building was demolished in 1862. The date of its erection is unknown, but it is
said to have looked old at the beginning of the present century, at which time it was kept
by Gen. Benjamin Sawin. It was located at the corner of the “ Boston and Worcester” and
“ meeting-house road.” The picture is from a sketeh by the author.
THE OLD TAVERN, SUDBURY CENTRE.
The house in which the old tavern was kept was erected by Mr. Rice, father of the
late Reuben Rice, of Concord. He was killed at “Wash bridge” by the overturning of a
load of timber which he was hauling for the ereetion of the Sudbury meeting-house of 1796.
In the early part of the present eentury it was occupied by Dr. Ashbel Kidder, who praetised
medicine in Sudbury about twenty-five years. It is probable, from the following reeord, that
at this time he also kept a publie house. “ To Dr. Ashbel Kidder, for dining the Clergy and
Committee of Arrangements, etc., at the funeral of Rev. Mr. Bigelow, $15.40.” Other pro-
prietors have been Tourtelot, Charles Moore, Howe and Moulton. About a half century
ago the tavern was kept by Joel Jones, and later, by Maranda Page, at which time it was
burnt. The picture of this house is from the copy of a sketch by Mr. Thomas J. Stearns, of
Roxbury.
GARRISON HOUSES.
The “ Brown Garrison House.” (See page 12.) — The date when this house was built
is not known. It was long occupied by persons of the name of Brown, and may have been
built by Major Thomas Brown, who was a man of considerable distinction in Sudbur}^ and
who died in 1709. The picture was engraved for the History of Sudbury from a painting by
the author, which was made from descriptions given by old residents, and approved by them.
“The Walker Garrison House.” — This building, it is supposed, was erected by William
Walker, son of Thomas, who was the first of the name of Walker in Sudbury. Several
generations of this family owned and occupied the house, among which was Thomas, a dea-
con of the Sudbury Church during the ministry of Rev. Jacob Bigelow; Paul, son of Thomas,
and at one time representative at the General Court ; and Willard, son of Paul, who died a
206
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLANl).
few years since. The house is at present unoccupied, and visited by the antiquary as an
object of much interest. The picture was originally engraved for the “ History of Sudbury,”
and was made from a photograph (see page 12).
The “Haynes Garrison House.” (See page 13). — The date of the erection of this
buildiiifr is unknown, but undoubted tradition refers to it as the “Old Haynes Garrison.” It
is supposed to have been built by Walter or Deacon John Haynes, to whose house reference
is made in the “ Old Petition.” The picture is from an engraving made for the “ History of
Sudbury,” which engraving was from a painting by the author. The house was visited by
him not long before its demolition, and the engraving is considered a good representation.
The “ Parmenter Garrison House.” (See page 13.) — A person by the name of Par-
menter was the first occupant of this house of whom we have any knowledge ; for this reason
the inuue “ Parmenter Garrison ” was given to it by the author. We have, however, no
evidence that the first owner or occupant bore the name of Parmenter. The original picture
was sketched by the author from descriptions given by persons once familiar with the place,
and has been approved by them.
THE OLD GRIST-MILL, WAYLAND.
This mill was situated about a quarter of a mile easterly of Wayland Centre, and was a
successor of the original Cakebread grist-mill built on the same spot in 1639 (see page 39).
It was destroyed by fire in 1890. Some of tlie later proprietors were Wight, Grout, Reeves
and Wyman. The easterl}'^ part of it was the more ancient. This mill was delightfully
situated in a quiet ravine. The woodland, sloping rapidly down to the brink of the pond on
opposite sides, is reflected on the calm water below, and altogether forms a lovely, restful
place of resort.
THE OLD SAW AND GRIST-MILL, SOUTH SUDBURY.
This mill was successor of the original “Noyes Mill,” built at Hop Brook by Thomas
and Peter Noyes in 1659 (see page 11). It was demolished in 1859, when owned by Abel B.
Richardson, and another was erected in its' place, which, after a few years, was destroyed by
fire. It was in the first mill at this spot that tlie survivors of the Wadsworth Fight took
refuge (see page 16). The “Mill lane,” which extended from the county road, was formerly
largely filled with pine and oak logs in the winter season, and the sawing of these logs con-
tinued sometimes until summer. The mill had two “run of stones,” and an old-fashioned
upright saw. The following persons have been proprietors of the South Sudbury mill :
Abraham Wood, Benjamin S'awin, Asher Cutler, Asher, Jr., and Abel Cutler, Jesse Brigham,
Knight, Abel Richardson, and Charles O. Parmenter, who is the present owner. About
1699, the Hop Brook Mill was donated by Peter Noyes to the town of Sudbury for the benefit
of its poor, and was leased for a term of years to Abraham Wood. In 1728-9 the property
was sold to Abraham Wood, Sr., and Abraham Wood, Jr., for £760, “Province Bills.” The
picture was made from a painting by the author, who was very familiar with the old mill.
PARSONAGES.
'Fhe “Boring Parsonage.” (See page 21.) — This house, after its occupation by Dr.
l.oring, was owned and occupied by Walter Haynes, and used as a tavern. It has under-
gone some alterations within the last quarter century, one of which is the change from a hip
to a gable roof; but otherwise, in its general outline, it remains as it was. The house is now
owned by the heirs of Elisha W. Haynes, son of Walter. Both Walter Haynes and his son
Elisha W. were sextons of Sudbury, and the latter was, for many years, tax-gatherer.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
207
The “Bridge Parsonage.” — This house is supposed to have been erected by Rev. Josiah
Bridge about the time of his settlement over the church in East Sudbury in 1761 (see pages
49, 50). Subsequently it was owned and occupied by William and Aaron Bridge, Eli Sher-
man, George Eli Sherman, John Moulton, and Alden Wellington, who still resides there. A
store was kept in a part of the house by William and Aaron Bridge from 1790 to 1815. (For
location, see page 108.)
The “ Bigelow Parsonage.” — This house was erected by Rev. Jacob Bigelow soon after
his settlement at Sudbury, Nov. 11, 1772, and occupied by him till his death. Sept. 12, 1814.
It was built by Mr. J. Thompson, of South Sudbuiy. At this place. Dr. Jacob Bigelow, at
one time Professor of Materia Medica in Harvard Medical School, and a noted Boston physi-
cian, was born. The house has undergone some alterations. It is situated easterly of Sud-
bury Centre, on the road to Wayland, and is now owned and occupied by Mrs. George
Goodnow.
The “Hurlbut Parsonage.” — This building is situated about a quarter of a mile from
Sudbury Centre on the South Sudbury road, and is now owned and occupied by Smith Jones.
It was erected by Rev. Rufus Hurlbut after his settlement over the Sudbury church, and
occupied by him till his death. May 11, 1839. A subsequent owner was Joel Jones, formerly
innholder at the old tavern, Sudbury Centre.
The “ Congregational Parsonage,” South Sudbury. — This building has a history that
dates from about 1850, when Arthur Bowen, the village carpenter, erected a carpenter’s shop
on the “middle of the town road,” or the road from South Sudbury to the Centre. This
building was at that time the only one between Dr. Goodenough’s and the late Mary Wheel-
er’s, which is next south of the Congregational Church, The shop, which was a rough
unclapboarded structure, after some years was converted into a dwelling-house by Moses
Hurlbut, who lived in it till his death. It afterwards continued to be occupied by his widow,
Mehitable (Dakin) Hurlbut, or “Aunt Hitty,” as she was familiarly called. At her death
it passed by will as a donation to the Evangelical Union Society, to be used for a parsonage.
Rev. Warren Richardson was the first minister to occupy it. Ou the expiration of his pas-
torate and the erection of the new church edifice, a ])arsonage was built, of which this build-
ing was a part, the reconstruction being completed by 1891.
THE DR. ROBY HOUSE. (See pp. 57, 58, 110.)
This picture is the gift of Warren G. Roby, a Boston merchant and lineal descendant of
Dr. Ebenezer Roby. The place is in the possession of the donor of the picture, who, since
the destruction of the old house by fire, has erected on the same spot a pleasant cottage for
his summer home. In connection with tlie premises is a well-tilled farm, on which is a beau-
tiful tract of woodland, which skirts the westerly side of the “old mill pond.”
THE DR. MOSES TAFT HOUSE.
This house was situated on the Berlin road, a few rods west of the Dr. Stearns
house. It was formerly occupied by Di'. Taft, a physician of Sudbury, who died in
1799, and may have been built by him. Subsequently a grocery store was kept there by
Reuben Moore. It was painted red, and a few years ago was torn down. It was occupied
at one time by George Barker, the old house-painter of Sudbury, and hence in later years went
by the name of the Barker house.
208
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
THE DR. THOMAS STEARNS HOUSE.
The picture of tliis place was the gift of Mr. T. J. Stearns, of Roxbnry, a descendant
of Dr. Stearns, and is made by the Autoglyph process from a photograph by A. W. Cutting.
'Fhe house was built by Dr. Thomas Stearns, who was a i)hysician of Sudbury and the col-
lector of the historical papers which go by the name of the “Stearns Collection ” (see page
181). A tavern was kept in this house for some years after the death of Dr. Stearns,
but it is now a private residence. The main building retains its original shape with the
exception of the removal of the piazza and balcony in front, into which a long window
opened, which, it is said, was the Doctor’s especial delight.
SUMMER RESIDENCE OF MR. WILLARD RULLARD (see pp. 51, 115).
This picture was made from a photograph, and is the gift of IMr. Willard Bullard, of
Cambridge. A store was kept in this house formerly, and the Town Hall was in the second
story, and the whole building until recently has been known by the name of the “old green
store.” In this hall the Evangelical Trinitarian Churcli held one of its early religious gath-
erings, at which Dr. Lyman Beecher conducted the service. The house has been greatly
changed from the original, but its general outline is about the same. For succession of mer-
chants in the store, see iiage 93.
LYDIA MARIA CHILD HOUSE. (See pp. 58, 109.)
From a photograph by A. W. Cutting.
GOVERNMENT STORE-HOUSE. (See page 25.)
This picture was sketched by the writer from one of the store-houses which had been
removed from its original location at Sand Hill to the Capt. William Rice place, Sudbury,
and used for many years as a cider-mill. After the close of the Revolutionary war, these
buildings were probably all sold and removed to various places; one of them was taken to
Wayland.
THE OLD LANHAM SCHOOL-HOUSE.
This house was probably built in 1800, when Gen. Benjamin Sawin, a militia officer and
at one time the proprietor of the tavern at “ Will Village,” was committee-man of the south-
east district. Two hundred and eighteen dollars were appropriated for the building. It was
placed on a three-cornered plot of land between the roads leading to South Sudbury, Saxon-
ville and Wayland. It was a typical old-time school-house, with hard, rough benches and
desks, which had been deeply engraved by the idler’s jacknife. It was demolished about forty
years ago, and another erected on or near the same spot. (See page 28.) >*
STORES.
“Gardner and Luther Hunt’s Grocery Store.” — This building stood upon or near the
site of the present store of George Hunt, of South Sudbury, and, so far as we know, was the
first store at Will Village. It was a dwelling-house and store combined. Tradition states
that it was built by Capt. Levi Holden, who once commanded the South Wilitia Company of
Sudbury. Persons who subsequently kept store in the old building were Abel Cutler, Jesse
Goodnow, and Gardner and Luther Hunt. It was burned, when occupied by the latter par-
ties, Feb. 14, 1841. The present store is the third that has stood on about the same spot,
and all of them have been owned by the Hunt family.
G. & L. HUNT’S STORE,
Mill Village.
the first store at South Sudbury of which we have any iuformatiou.
or near the site of the present Hunt’s Store.
It stood on
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
209
The “Old Red Store” or “Newell Heard’s Store.” (See pp. 57, 93, 108.) — The picture
is from the copy of a pen sketch by Miss L. A. Dudley, of Waylaiid.
THE FIRST PARISH, OR FNITARIAN MEETING-HOUSE, WAYLAND CENTRE.
This building was erected in 1814, and dedicated Jan. 24, 1815. It is the fifth in the
succession of meeting-houses erected in the territory now Wayland (see pp. 51, 91). It was
remodelled in 1850 (see page 101), and recently repaired. For succession of ministers who
have preached in this house, see page 51. The picture was made from a photograph.
THE ORTHODOX CHURCH, WAYLAND CENTRE. (See page 52.)
This house was erected in 1835, and remodelled in 1883. The picture was made by the
Autoglyph process from a photograph by A. W. Cutting, and was the gift of Mr. Joseph
Winch, a Boston merchant and former member of the church. His wife Mary (Carver)
Winch, was a native of the town, and her homestead lay along the “Old Connecticut Path.”
(See pp. 88, 117.)
THE TOWN HALL, WAYLAND CENTRE. (See pp. 53, 108.)
This picture is made from a photograph.
VIEW OF SUDBURY CENTRE.
On the left is the First Parish or Unitarian Church, of Sudbury. It was dedicated in
1796, and remodelled in 1827. Its predecessor was the first church edifice in Sudbury,
on the west side of the river. Until a few years ago there was a broad flat stone under
the buttonwood tree in front of the church, which was used for a horse-block in the
days when people went to meeting on horseback. It was just north of the tree-trunk. The
“Town House” stands next to the church on the east. It was built in accordance with a
vote passed in 1845. It stands on or near the site of a little red school-house, in the
small entry of which was the town bell, which rang for church service and for funerals,
deaths, etc. The Town House was extensively repaired in 1888, but its external shape hag
not been changed. On the hill in the rear is Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The “ Methodist
Church,” which stands on the right, was dedicated in 1836. Bishop E. O. Haven once
taught a school in the vestry of this church. In the rear is the old “ Burying Ground ” of
the West Precinct. This picture was engraved for the “ History of Sudbury ” from a photo-
graph.
VIEW OF MILL VILLAGE, SOUTH SUDBURY.
The picture of “Mill Village” was engraved for the “History of Sudbury” from an oil
painting by the author. It represents every house in “ Mill Village ” in 1855. The point
from which the view was taken is on the hill south of the mill pond. No. 1 on the picture
designates the Richardson saw and grist-mill. No. 2, C. and E. Hunt’s grocery and dry goods
store. No. 3, the old tavern. No. 4, Wadsworth Academy, which was burnt in 1879. No.
5, Green Hill and a part of the battle-ground of the “Wadsworth Fight” (see pp. 14, 15,
16). No. 6, the Wadsworth Monument (see page 18). In 1855 Green hill was largely
covered with forest. Just above the bridge was the old upper dam, since demolished, and
by the closing of whose gates the water flowed back as far as “ Hayden’s Bridge.” The
house west of the bridge, which was removed when the railroad was built, was called the
Wheeler house, and in the rear of it were tan vats. The small house east of the bridge is
210
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
tlie old William Brown house, and the small wood-colored building beyond Wadsworth
Academy represents Bowen’s carpenter’s shop.
THE MEMORIAL CHURCH, SOUTH SUDBURY. (See page 35.)
This building was completed in 1891, and is situated on the spot once occupied by the
Wadsworth Academy, and later by the Congregational Chapel. The clock on the tower was
given by Samuel B. and Homer Rogers. The memorial window in memory of Miss Mary
Wheeler was the gift of Mrs. Samuel B. Rogers. That in memory of Deacon Emory Hunt
was the gift of his children ; and that in memory of Mrs. Mehitable [Dakin] Hurlhut was
the gift of relatives and friends. The picture of the church was made from a photograph.
RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL R. ROGERS.
This house is situated on land that belonged to the Major Josiah Richardson farm. The
hill was formerly called “Herd’s,” or “Heard’s Point,” the origin of which name is not
known. The roof was the first Mansard roof in South Sudbury.
LANHAM SCHOOL-HOUSE,
Sudbury.
See page 208.
MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS.
MISCELLANEOUS RECOKDS.
The following records are mostly taken from the Town books.
It was ordered in 1643 by the town that “ whoever : : : : shall take away any
man’s canoe without the leave of the owner, shall forfeit for every default so made two
shillings.”
The term “ Cedar Croft” is mentioned in papers from 1700 to 1725, in connection with
the homestead of Thomas Bryant. (State Archives, Vol. XVII., p. 520.) The word is some-
times spelled “ Crought.”
“ Bridell Poynt” is in a deed dated 1666. (Mid. Reg. Deeds, Liber III., pp. 232-272.)
The word “Sponge” was in early use. John Rutter, in 1646, was to have a “sponge of
meadow,” and Brian Pendleton was to have laid out to him “14 acres of meadow, lying in
a “sponge” upon the west side of the great meadow over against Munning’s point.” In
Suffolk, England, where the word was in use, it meant an irregular, narrow projecting part
of a field, whether planted or in grass.
“ In y® year 1667, from y® middle of November until y® middle of March was the tereblest
winter for continuance of frost and snow and extremity of cold that ever was remembered by
any since it was planted with English ; and was attended with terebell coughs and coulds
and fever which passed many out of time into eternity, and also through want and scarcity
of fother multitudes of sheep and cattle and other creatures died. It is incumbent on all
those that call themselves the people of God to consider his great works and the operations
of his hands. John Goodnow, Clerk.”
“Feb. 7, 1763. There has been no rain this winter nor sence the snow came and the
springs is low, and they grind but two bushels in a day at this mill. The snow is on a level
3 foot and 3 inches in open land.” (Stearns’ Collection.)
The following is a record of the result of a perambulation of the town, and may set
forth the perishable nature of the boundary marks in the early times, and tlie difficulty natu-
rally attendant upon tracing lines by such uncertain and changeable objects.
“ Here followeth the line of the new grants with the mark 1 a black oak 2 a white oak,
3 a black oak 4 a black oak dead 5 a walnut tree, 6 a white oak near Jethro’s field, 7 a lone
red oak [8] in a swamp a dead [red] oak 9 a white ash tree in a run of water 10 a naked
pine tree on rocky hill, 11 a chestnut, 12 a white oak, 13 a wliite oak 14 a white oak, 15 is a
dead black oak stands at the westerly corner with a heap of stones at the root of the tree.
“ John Goodnow in the name of the rest who went last on perambulation.” Dated
1640.
It was early ordered that the line “between Sudbury and the farms annexed to Framing-
ham as set forth by the plat exhibited under the hand of John Gore be and continue the
boundary line between the said farms and Sudbury forever, viz : from the northerly end of
Cochittuat Pond to the bent of the river by Daniel Stone’s and so as the line goes to Fra-
mingham and Sudbury line.”
“ The committee appointed to lay out the Watertown and Sudbury boundary report that
the line drawn by John Oliver three years previous called the old line shall be the line
between the two towns and forever stand. This line, beginning at Concord south bound,
ran through a great pine swamp, a small piece of meadow to upland, and then to an angle
betwixt two hills. After the line left the aforesaid angle on its southerly course, it had these
212
APPENDIX TOJTHE ANNALS OFjlWAYLAND.
remarkable places therein : One rock called Grout’s head, and a stake by the cartway leading
from Sudbury to Watertown, and so to a pine hill being short of a pond about eighty-eight
rods, att which pine hill Sudbury bounds ends.” — (Colony Records, Vol. IV., p. 53.)
In 1647 the town mark ordered by “ y® General Co’te for Horses to be set upo“ one of
y® nere ” [quarters] was “ S^dberry.” (Col. Rec., Vol. II., p. 225.)
On page 53 of the town book it is recorded that “ the sum of three pounds shall be
added to the town’s rate for the payment of our deputie’s diet at Hugh Drury’s at Boston
during his attendance at the General Court.” Some years later, in 1679, Peter Noyes
“ opeidy declared at that town meeting that he freely gave to the town his time, charge,
diet, in and about his service at fore said session of the General Court which the town thank-
fully accepted.”
There is on the early records an absence of middle names, that indicates that they were
little in use along the first years of the town’s history, or they were considered too inconse-
quential to be written in the town books.
The term “ Goodman ” was sometimes applied to persons. It was a title to designate
excellence of character rather than exceptional gentility. The terms Mr. and Mrs. are not
frequently found on the records.
People were called to meeting in early times by the beat of the drum. Besides the ordi-
nary Sabbath services, there was a service on some secular day of the week called “ Lecture
Day.” In 1652 a bargain was made with John Goodnow to beat the drum twice every Sab-
bath, and also to beat it for service on “ Lecture Day.”
On August 9th, 1779, a committee that had been appointed to state the prices of such
articles as were not taken up by a convention that met at Concord, reported as follows :
“Coffe by the pound 4.15, country produce — Indian corn by the Bushel 80, Rye by the
Bushel £o: 10, Wheat by the Bushel .£8: 10, Beaf by the pound 5, Muton, Lamb and Veal
by the pound 3 : 6, Fureign Beaf and Pork as sett by the convention. Butter by the pound
11, chese Do 6, milk by the quart 16, English Hay q'' hundred 30, men’s shoes 6^*’®, women’s
shoes 4'*^®, cotton cloth 4 : 6, Labor — teaming under 30 miles 18, carpenter work by the day
60, mason per day 60, maids’ wages per week 5 Dollars, Oxen per day 24, Horse Hire 3 per
mile.”
The grade of prices thus established was made in accordance with a resolve of the con-
vention, and the list of prices was in depreciated currency, that was worth in the ratio of
about twenty shillings in paper to one in silver. It was declared that “if any one should
persist in refusing to accept these prices their names should be published in the public News
Paper and the good people of the town should withhold all trade and intercourse from them.”
May 17, 1779, a vote was taken to ascertain how many favored the formation of a new
constitution, or form of government; 59 voted in the affirmative and 10 in the negative.
The count}' money rate in 1682 for Sudbury was as follows : “ To be collected on the
East side the river £5 : 4® : 4*^ ; on the West side £4 : 8® : O*' ”
At the time of the Revolutionary war the town of Sudbury, before the division, had a
population of 2,160, with about 500 ratable polls, and it is supposed that during the war some
400 to 500 men performed some service, either in camp or field.
In its first year, 1780, the new town of East Sudbury appropriated for the support of its
poor 1,500 pounds ; for schools 2,500 pounds.
1781. Six school districts were apportioned off as follows: North District, 21 families;
Street District, 22; Centre, 21; East, 20; Southwest, 14; South, 18.
1782. Men’s and women’s sides in the meeting-house continued to be recognized.
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
213
1785. A set of standard weights and measures, and suitable stocks for criminals were
ordered.
1794. The town was surveyed, and a copy of the map thus made is among the State
Archives.
1795. Guide-posts on roads were first set up by order of the town, and a singing school
was supported by the town at an expense of 30 pounds, which was the first singing school to
be sustained at the town’s expense. The same year the custom commenced of having the
winter grammar schools taught by masters, and the summer primary schools taught by mis-
tresses.
In 1796, stoves were first used in the school houses.
In 1797, petitioned for leave to have a “base violin” played in the meeting-house to
assist in church music, which leave was granted. The same year appropriations of money
were for the first time recorded in dollars and cents instead of pounds, shillings and pence.
In 1799, the town was fined 155 for neglecting to send a Representative to the General
Court.
1800. A hearse was purchased. It cost $50, and was the first one used by the town.
The same year the road from the centre of the town to the house of Zachariah Heard was
laid out. It was built by residents on the “ Island ” or “ Farm,” and was to be kept in good
repair for ten years, they being exempted from highway taxes levied by the town during that
time.
The same year a “bridle-way” from the barn of Nathaniel Reeves was established.
This had been the travelled way from the Centre to the “Island,” diverging to the left nearly
opposite the “Russell house,” and passing thence to “Farm Bridge.”
1804. The old “Training Field,” set apart in 1714, and consisting of about nine or ten
acres situated in the central portion of the Abel Gleason farm, was sold to Nathan Gleason.
1807. The meeting-house lot was enlarged on the westerly side by the purchase of one
acre of land of Nahum Cutler for $150.
1811. Money was appropriated for the purchase of a pall.
1812. A bounty of $6 per month was offered for volunteer enlistments in the army,
with $9 additional when ordered to march.
1813. The town voted to build a new meeting-house on land bought of Wm. Wyman.
1816. Hay scales were erected. By these, wagons and their loads were raised from the
ground, and their weight was ascertained by means of heavy weights.
The same year tombs in the burying ground were first authorized and erected.
1827. Elm trees were set out on the meeting-house common. In 1827 or 1828 stoves
were first introduced into the meeting-house.
1830. The town was surveyed by W. C. Grout.
1831. The town bought the farm of Eli Sherman for a “ Poorhouse.” Before this, the
paupers had been “let out at auction to the lowest bidder” in open town meeting.
In 1831 an organ was purchased for the Unitarian Church.
In 1835, when the name of the town was about being changed, among the names sug-
gested were the following : Clarence, Penrose, Fayette, Waybridge, Wadsworth, Elba, Water-
ville. Auburn, Keene, Lagrange.
1836. Bell tolling at funeral processions was discontinued, except when specially
requested.
1845. The “ poor farm ” was sold, and the one now owned by the town was purchased
of Otis Loker for the sum of $3,130, and in 1889 new buildings were erected on the place.
1850. A clock was placed on the steeple of the Unitarian meeting-house.
214
APPENDIX TO THE ANNALS OF WAYLAND.
1851. A public reception was given to President Francis Wayland, D.D., by the Way-
land people. The address of welcome was made by lion. Edwaird Mellen in the church, and
responded to by Dr Wayland. There was a collation in Bullard’s Grove, where addresses
were made by Horace Mann and others.
In 1852, an organ was placed in the Orthodox Church.
1871. Town meetings were ordered to be held, alternating at the Town Hall and at
some place in Cochituate.
1872. The selectmen were unanimously ordered to petition the General Court to have
Cochituate annexed to the town of Natick.
I
r
[
PART VI.
QUARTER-MILLENNIAL
ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES
AT
SUDBURY AND AVAYLAND
SEPTEMBER 4tli, 1889.
PROGRAMME.
PROCESSION
Ofj and Entertainment for, Cliildren of the Public Schools of Sud-
burv and ^Vayland, at ^\ayland, at 9 o clock, A. M., and
Collation at the Unitarian Church Vestry.
ADDRESSES
' By Rev. R. Gordon, William II. Baldwin, and others.
PROCESSION.
At 12 o’clock, M., a procession will be formed at South Sudbury
Railroad Station, and proceed to Sudbury Centre.
Music: FITCHBURG BAXD.
DINNER.
At 1 o’clock, P. M., a Dinner at Sudbury Town Hall.
ATMEUXON JAMES, of Wallham, Caterer.
ORATION.
At 2 o'clock, P. M., an Oration by Rev. A. S. HUDSON, of Ayer,
Historian of Sudbury.
ADDRESSES
By Representatives of the State, and County of IMiddlesex, and others.
POEM
By James S. Draper, Esq., of Way land, to the Pioneers, written for
the occasion.
In the evening there will be Fireworks and Illuminations at Sud-
bury, and Concert on the Common.
Promenade Concert and Anniversary Ball at V ayland Town Hall.
HON. HOMER ROGERS, President of the day.
R. T. LOMBARD, Chief Marshal.
COMMITTEE OF SUDBURY.
.lONAS S. HUNT.
R. T. LOMBARD.
RUFUS II. IIURLBUT
E. A. BOWERS.
COMMITTEE OF WAYLAND.
LAFAYETTE DUDLEY
EDWARD CARTER.
Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary
OF THE
INCORPORATION OF SUDBURY, MASS., SEPT. 4, 1889.
At the annual town meetings held in the towns of Sudbury
and Wayland in the spring of 1889 the towns elected committees
and appropriated money for the purpose of celebrating the two
hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town
of Sudbury — AVayland, at that time, a part of the town of Sudbury,
and remaining so until 1780. The committees were united in their
efforts, which resulted in forming and carrying out the programme
upon the preceding pages. The weather was all that could be
desired, and our citizens joined heartily in making the day a real
lioliday ; and were also pleased to give hospitable welcome to former
residents, and those who from ties of birth and friendship hold the
old towns in tender remembrance. The morning exercises were
held in the Town Hall at Wayland, and the afternoon exercises at
Sudbury, a platform having been erected on the east side of the
old church on the common, for the accommodation of the speakers
and invited guests. The stand was draped with the national colors,
on its front appearing the inscription, “ 1639 — Quarter Millennial —
1889,” surmounted by shields, backed by the American flag. Among
the prominent persons upon the platform were the following : Hon.
Homer Rogers, chairman of Boston Board of Aldermen, president
of the day ; Rev. Alfred S. Hudson of Ayer, orator of the day ;
Hon. Geo. A. Marden of Lowell, State Treasurer of Massachusetts ;
Rev. Brooke Herford of Boston; William H. Baldwin, Esq., of the
Young Men’s Christian LTnion of Boston ; Rev. Edward J. Y’oung
of Waltham; Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell of Groton; Judge Levi Wal-
lace and Hon. E. Dana Bancroft of Ayer ; Judge James T. Joslyn
of Hudson ; Hon. William N. Davenport of Marlboro’; Rev. Robert
6
Gordon of Wayland, and Rev. D. W. Richardson of Sudbury; lion.
Charles F. Gerry of Sudbury; Richard T. Lombard, F-sq., of
AVayland, chief marshal, and Jonas S. Hunt, Esq., chairman of
the Committee of Arrangements, by whom the assemblage was
called to order.
ADDRESS OF JONAS S. HUNT, ESQ.
Ladies and Gentlemen — Friends, Neighbors, Brothers and
Sisters, Uncles, Aunts, and Cousins: —
In behalf of the Committee of Arrangements, I take great pleas- .
lire in extending to you all a most cordial welcome to this celebra-
tion of the two hundred and fiftieth birthday of the “good old
town of Sudbury ” ; and right here let it be understood that when
we sjieak to-day of Sudbury we are speaking also of East Sudbury
— now Wayland — because for more than a hundred and forty
years after the date of incorporation the two towns were one. From
its settlement up to the present day no birthday of the town has
ever been noticed in a public manner. Some of us can remember as
far back as the two hundredth anniversary, but can recall no public
observance of the day, and I have never been able to find upon the
records any reference to the one hundredth or the one hundred and
fiftieth anniversary. Nearly a year ago the subject of this cele-
bration was first mentioned, and the two towms having taken appro-
priate action, the result is, as you see, this assembling together of
the peojJe of the two towns, with many others who have the interest
of birthplace, former residence, or as the home of ancestors. Just a
word more permit me to say ; that this seems a peculiarly appropriate
time to celebrate, even if it were not a town birthday, because it
marks the completion of an exhaustive history of the town, which
has been in the course of preparation for the past ten years by a son
of Sudbury, who is soon to address you. As usual upon such occa-
sions, we have been somewhat delayed ; we are not quite up to the
time announced upon the programme, and as we have with us to-day
many orators, statesmen, and divines whom you are all anxiously
waiting to hear, I am satisfied that I shall give you more pleasure by
cutting short what I have to say than by continuing. I will there-
fore only add that I have the honor of presenting to you a very
promising son of Sudbury, who has been unanimously selected for
president of the day — lion. Homer Rogers, President of Boston’s
Board of Aldermen.
The President. — In harmony with the custom of our ancestors,
which has been rigidly observed for two hundred and fifty years, we
will commence the order of exercises by the invocation of the divine
blessing, by Rev. D. W. Richardson, of Sudbury.
PRAYER BY REV. D. W. RICHARDSON.
We render Thee most hearty thanks. Heavenly Parent, that Thou
hast permitted us under such favorable auspices, under a sunny sky,
and in such large numbers, to assemble on this natal day of the good
old town of Sudbury, that we may commemorate in speech and song
and story the completion of two hundred and fifty years of her munic-
ipal life. We thank Thee for the precious influences that have come
down to us from the stern virtues and religious faith of these ances-
tors of ours, who hewed down the rough forest and broke up the
rugged soil, and covered these hills and valleys with pleasant homes
and fruitful fields. We thank Thee, our Father, that the sacrifices
which they made and the hardships they endured nourished in their
hearts a faith that was the germ of the martyr spirit, and a deter-
mination to maintain at all hazards those great principles for which
they had gone into exile. We thank Thee that they were men of
intense patriotism and of exalted piety, and that they cherished in
their minds earnest thoughts and mighty questionings touching duty
and destiny, and out of such thought and research have wrought the
great problem of making themselves and their descendants liberty-
loving, God-fearing men and women. And we pray, our Father,
that the sacrifices which they made and the hardships which they
endured for the cause of justice and humanity may nourish in us a
love for those great principles which they have bequeathed to us as
our richest inheritance and legacy, which shall be undying. And
we pray, our Father, that we may have Thy blessing on the services
of this occasion, and we may not only feel the spirit of these ances-
tors of ours, but that the Holy Spirit may rest upon us as a bene-
8
diction, and that we may have a great uplifting, socially, morally,
and spiritually ; that we may have our hearts filled with the deter-
mination to live worthy of our noble ancestors, and thus fill up our
measure of usefulness on the earth, and finally be accepted in Thy
kingdom above for the Great Redeemer’s sake. Amen.
ADDRESS BY IION. HOMER ROGERS.
Ladies and Gentlemen — Citizens of Sudbury and J]'ayla7id :
I FULLY appreciate the honor which has been conferred upon me,
in being invited by the committee to serve you in this place to-day.
I wish to congratulate you upon the event which has called us to-
gether, to congratulate the old town on her history ; not alone on the
completion of two hundred and fifty years of corporate c.xistence,
but for what she is to-day, the legitimate product of her history.
To-day we shall inspect the records of nine generations of men.
We read in our history that Sudbury was settled by the English
in 1036. We are familiar with the conditions which antedate their
emigration from the old world. There was no spirit of conquest; there
were no mines of gold, with visions of sudden and fabulous wealth ;
no dreams of empire to gratify a vaulted ambition : no spirit of dis-
loyalty to the government of their native land; no desire or expec-
tation of finding leisure or plenty ; indeed, none of the conditions
which have characterized the colonies of all history were among the
motives which brought our ancestors to these shores. They sought
another country, not knowing whither they went, assured of one
condition, that they might worship their God in harmony with their
own convictions. The spirit of the age in which they lived was that
of religious intolerance and persecution, and it is not surprising that
something of the same spirit marked their earlier history. Their
convictions, and cheerful sacrifice of personal comfort, or life even,
to maintain them, laid the foundation for our New England charac-
ter, which is the proudest feature of our history.
Citizens of Sudbury and Wayland : this is the stock from which
we have sprung. I congratulate you on our ancestry. If you
would find the purest specimens of this ancestral virtue you need
9
not search for it in our crowded cities, but in country towns like old
Sudbury. As you read our history you will find many a name and
family whose genealogy is unbroken and unmixed for the two hun-
dred and fifty years.
Hence it is, fellow-citizens, that we glory to-day not in our fruit-
ful fields, or stately buildings, not in our population or Avealth, but
in the character and lives of the men and women whom we have
raised, and whose influence has blessed the world.
The cities of Massachusetts are owned and governed by the men
and women Avho Avere born and bred among the hills and valleys of
our country toAvns. The great problem of the age is the govern-
ment of our large cities. The ideal republican form of government is
the tOAvn meeting. A municipal charter granted by the Legislature
is in a sense a misfortune. The elements of danger among our people
find their home in the cities. If the time shall ever come Avhen
the toAvn meeting does not control the state the problem of a govern-
ment of the people Avill be seriously complicated. The form of
municipal government is a necessity to a large population, but so
long as one-third of the hundreds of thousands Avho crOAvd to our
shores every year remain Avithin our cities, so long shall we have
trouble, because it is impossible to assimilate that immense mass of
heterogeneous material and to keep it in harmony with our repub-
lican institutions. So I Avant you to understand that the saving force
of Massachusetts and the nation rests in the hands of you Avho come
to the town hall and cast your ballots for representatives of the state,
Avho are to come to our city and there make laAvs Avhich control in a
measure our cities. It is partially a humiliation to admit it, but I
have seen enough of the management of the affairs of our cities to
believ’e that the only safety of the city and the state is in the tOAvn
meetings of our toAvns.
This is the day of rejoicing, not of regret. I take our text from
the Psalms, not from Lamentations. We are not sighing for the good
old colony times Avhen the people liA^ed under a king. It is a good
thing to look back to our earlier records to see what progress Ave
have made. In every element Avhich makes up our civilization the
present is an immense improvement on the past. It is the survival
of the fittest that we haA'e to-day. We may Avell congratulate our-
selves that Ave are living in the nineteenth century, and not the six-
10
teenth. The history of Sudbury is a good thing to read. Thank
God we did not have to live it !
Let us rejoice in all that has come to us from the sterling charac-
ter and good works of our ancestors, and, as we review tlie history of
the past, thank God that we are living in these times, which are the
direct and natural fruitage of those early days.
The history of Sudbury has been written. The town has done
herself great honor in publishing the history of those two hundred
and fifty years, and I congi-atulate you upon that record. It is a
great credit to the town, and we are fortunate in having its distin-
guished author with us to-day. It gives me great pleasure to intro-
duce to you the historian of Sudbury, the orator for this occasion,
the Lev. Alfred S. Hudson, who will now address you.
ADDRESS BY REV. ALFRED S. HUDSON.
It may be thought from the manner in which it was announced
on the programme that in this part of the exercises there will be
spread before you a lengthy account of the history of Sudbury.
There are several reasons, however, that prevent this being done,
agreeable though the task might be. First, the history of the town
is too great to admit of its being given in detail ; second, there are
distinguished men present whom you are doubtless impatient to hear,
and for whose welcome words suitable time should be set apart ;
third, you have your history in printed form. But, though we are
called upon by these circumstances to be brief, it is nevertheless
appropriate that we should outline what has occurred in the past
that we may be the more impressed with the significance and im-
portance of the day we celebrate, and rightly appreciate the found-
ers of our town. We stand two hundred and fifty years from the
date of Sudbury’s birth. It is an interval weighty in its history,
and mighty in its far-reaching influence. Many of us are related
to it by lineal descent of which we are justly proud. Let us turn,
then, to the beginning, and in outline trace down this interval, and
see wherein our pride and esteem are natural. The territory of
Sudbury was petitioned for in 1637, settled in 1638, and incor-
11
porated as a town in 1G39. It receiv^ed its name from Sudburj,
England, from or near which place some of the settlers are sup-
posed to have come.
The plan of the settlement originated at Watertown, and the
settlers were Englishmen, a large share of whom came to the planta-
tion directly from Europe. The names of some of them still heard
on our streets are: Haynes, Goodnow, Howe, Read, Rice, Brown,
Noyce, Parmenter, and Bent.
The lands first occupied were along the banks of the Sudbury
River, then known as the Musketahquid, the meadows of which
stream were very valuable and much sought after for pasturage and
hay. The territory came to the settlers in three grants from the
General Court, and was purchased of the Indians, from whom deeds
were regularly obtained. The first streets of the settlement were on
the east side of the river, and the first house-lots have been
designated on a map in the history of Sudbury recently published.
The settlement, though in an entirely new country, prospered from
the very start.
Soon a church was formed and minister settled, and a little meet-
ing-house erected on a spot in the old burying-ground in the present
town of Wayland. The minister was Rev. Edmund Brown, a man
able, brave, and devout. The contract for the meeting-house was
made with John Rutter, and the building was to be '• thirty foot long
and twenty wide, six windows with four lights apiece, four with three
lights apiece.” The church was organized in 1640, at which time
it was supposed Rev. Edmund Brown was settled, and the meeting-
house was built in 1642. In a short time after the settlers arrived
mills, bridges, and highways were constructed, and the whole town-
ship became dotted over with smiling homesteads, where a happy and
thrifty people lived. Space forbids the giving of many details of the
pioneer life of this people. On the town books, some of whose pages
crumble at the finger’s touch, many of their acts are set forth. The
few following facts, however, we will state before passing on to a con-
sideration of the character of these founders of our town.
A prominent act a few years after the arrival of the settlers was
the appropriation of land to the inhabitants. At the outset each
settler, whatever his estate or position, had a house-lot of about four
acres. Then came a division of the meadow-land, which was largely
12
divided on three occasions before the close of 1640. Certain
portions were set apart as public domain. Notable among these were
two extensive cow-commons, which embraced a large portion of tlie
country on botli sides of the river, and the division and distribution
of which, or the sizing of the commons, as it was termed, subse-
quently caused a great tumult throughout the whole town, and for the
Settlement of which a committee was appointed by the Colonial
Court, and an ecclesiastical council was called. The settlers at first
tilled their fields in common. Common planting-fields were set apart
and assigned to certain parties to be cared for. The fences were to a
certain extent made by ditching, and traces of these ditches may
still be seen. The domestic animals were permitted to roam at large,
under certain restrictions, as that the swine should be “ ringed or
yoked,” that they might not root. Trade was carried on by barter or
an e.xchange of commodities. The price of labor w’as regulated in
town meeting. Laws were made for the encouragement of industry,
a workhouse was provided for the indolent, and the stocks or whip-
ping-post for the vicious.
The character of a settlement and of its subsequent history is
foreshadowed when we obtain a knowledge of the pioneers. The indi-
vidual history is prophetic of the town’s general history. The pas-
senger list of the Mayflower, for those who knew the character of the
men, was sufficient data by which to forecast New England’s future
greatness; so it is as a general rule. Tlie moral oases of our ex-
tended country have not become smiling with rare fruit simply
because of climatic conditions or a greater fertility of soil in these
apparently favored places, but the advantage w’as in the seed or
stock.
We need not detail the development of the town of Sudbury
to show that it is avorthy, for the character of the settlers
declares it. The secret of the town’s success as a settlement, of
its rapid development, and of its far-reaching influence is found
in the fact that ours w’as an ancestry of sterling qualities. First,
they had an unfailing trust in God and His avord : second,
they had patience, perseverance, courage, and self-reliance, that
avould oa’ercome all common obstacles. It is not because the
country about us is admirably suited to easy settlement that the town
soon became prosperous, and overran its borders like a cup that is
13
more than full, for feAT towns about us had a rougher surface than old
Sudbury. It had rocks and hills and Avild forests enough. Its
streams had floods, and the settlement for years AA’as on the very
frontier, but they Avere men avIio were there to meet these things. A
company Avhose character was as substantial as the influence of the
town afterward proA^ed itself to be, Avere in the cabin of the Confidence
as it sailed from Southampton — Walter Haynes, Peter Noyce, John
Blanford, John Bent, and John Rutter, representative men in the
Sudbury settlement, Avere a type of the historic Puritan. Sudbury
settlers Avere not adventurers, except as they adventured for truth and
the right. Lieutenant Edmund Goodnow Avas rightly styled on his
tombstone, “That eminent saiwant of God.” He could teach his son
John to beat a drum to call the people to meeting on the Sabbath and
on lecture -days, or to the defence of the garrison in Avar-time. But
it is not enough to make assertions Avith regard to the character of
these men, for in the fervor of an occasion like this, speech is easy ;
Ave Avill therefore consider a feAv things that speak for themselves, and
Ave Avill say, first, that the institutions of their faith and their fidelity
to them are indicative of their character. Scarcely Avere they fairly
established at the place of settlement Avlien they turned their atten-
tion to the' claims of religion. Loyalty to the church was not
quenched by the excitement of a life in what Avas then the Avild West.
As has been noticed, notwithstanding the need of hard, every-day
toil, to supply themselves Avith what was actually needful for com-
fortable existence, they nevertheless, almost at the very outset,
erected a meeting-house. The erection of that meeting-house thus
early, and under such circumstances, is significant. It shows that the
people of those times were not only friends of God, but of man.
They believed it was essential to provide means for the meeting of
man’s higher needs and the development of the better part of his
being. They had a double purpose in the service of God : they
Avould show obedience and loyalty to Him and His laws, and they
would also serve Him and obey His laws, because by such obedience
came prosperity and thrift for the life that noAv is. It is injustice to
our fathers, and gives a false view of their theories of right, to sup-
pose that they clung to the institutions of their faith so closely, and
erected a meeting-house and maintained its services by toil and
denial, in a merely servile manner. They did not obey God as a
14
stern, harsh ruler of the earth and sky, wliose laws were the laws of
a despot, and unproductive of good in this life. They believed He
gave the gospel and its institutions and laws for man's present, future,
and comprehensive good, and they would strictly conform to and
maintain them, because of the good they would bring to the indi-
vidual, the family, the town, and the state. They established a
church as a practical means of a high and holy development, as surely
as in obedience to an implied requirement of religion. But the
establishment and maintenance of the e.xternal or visible means by
which their faith had growth, is significant of more than merely
religious relations in the common acceptation of the term. It indi-
cates that those men were friends of civil liberty. The times and
circumstances were such in those years, that fidelity to the church
was fidelity to the fullest and purest republican principles that the
heart of mankind ever knew.
He is a dull reader who, in reading New England’s religious his-
tory, does not also read its political history. We cannot go into the
political life of the Sudbury settlers at this time to prove what we
shall only assert, viz., that the laws recorded on the town books and
the general standards of town actions were highly democratic. The
acts, as preserved in the crumbling records of the town, are the prod-
uct of an equitable system of town government. It is, perhaps, as
if the settlers came to Sudbury Avith a system of gov'ernment already
formulated. The lands Avere divided by an impartial standard ; toAvn
rates Avere levied in a manner that incurred no hardships. Through
the influence of the teaching in that little meetinw-house caste, Avas
leA'elled, and character became a man’s political as Avell as social
credentials. It prcA’ented rash and venturous speculation on other
people’s hard-earned gains, and made it comparatively safe for man to
trust his fellow-man, and Avoe be to the unfortunate party, no matter
Avhat his family, his estate, his antecedents, or rank, Avho bade defiance
to the laAvs enacted in the toAvn meeting at the meeting-house. The
meeting-house thus aa'us significant of a broad citizenship. It aa’us
suggestive of a source of influence or force that led man to respect
the right of his felloAA'-man, and the right of every person that
stood related to him.
But, further, Ave see the character of the early Sudbury inhabitants
by considering their relation to the Indians and the method by Avhich
15
they obtained their lands. It is foolish to suppose that Sudbury, as
is sometimes alleged of the New England towns, obtained its land by
fraud and violence. It has gone into print in at least one instance
that the public land of this vicinity seemed such a prize to both the
red men and the whites, as to occasion frequent collisions among them,
and it was instilled into my boyhood mind that the settlers stole the
land from the Indians. These lands were bought by our fathers.
They were conveyed by a legal process as just as any lands are con-
veyed to-day. To begin with, few Indians at the time of English
occupation lay claim to this tract of country. Karto had more land
than he wanted; he wanted wampumpeage more than he wanted
real estate. The sale of the land by him, so far as we know, was
satisfactory to all concerned, so it was in the case of all the aboriginal
grantors. No process of ejection was ever served on an Indian by
the early settlers in Sudbury, and no collision ever occurred here
between the two until about 1675 or 1676, when a different nation-
ality of Indians invaded the territory, and undertook to drive the
English from it. The war was with Metacomet, or Philip, not
Karto, and Philip never owned an acre of Sudbury territory. He
invaded the land of old Karto, who was a Mystic or Nipnet Indian.
Philip of Pokanoket had no more right to Karto’s Goodman Hill
home, or to his hunting-grounds adjacent, which he had conveyed by
deed to the English, than Karto had to Pokanoket or an acre of the
land adjacent to Mt. Hope Bay. IVe say it with a feeling of honest
pride — the Indians and whites lived on friendly terms in Sudbury for
nearly half a century after its settlement. The war-whoop was not
heard in the forest, nor along the fair intervales of the Musketahquid.
Walter Haynes, Edmund Goodnow, Peter Noyce, Edmund Rice,
and Karto, the Speens, and old Jethro, could all pass from wig-
wam to log-cabin in love, amity, and peace. This friendly inter-
course and these honorable transactions are indicative of those
elements which go to make up estimable character and good citizen-
ship. They say for the settlers of Sudbury what is said of the
Pilgrims at Plymouth and William Penn of Pennsylvania.
We will now consider other phases of character in those who
settled and preserved our town, as set forth in their patient endurance
of hardship such as we can neither comprehend nor conceive of
These smiling fields have an unwritten history, save as snatches of
16
what lias transpired upon them have found a place on the records.
These hills are hallowed by a silent touch that has left no visible im-
press. The stones that sternly stare with their cold, gray faces, could,
if they were sentient objects, tell of that which would make men
weep. In the settlement of a township in those early days there
were hardships that under ordinary circumstances would be suf-
ficiently severe, but let those hardships be intensified by what the
settlers of Sudbury passed through in a single twelvemonth, during
the years 1G75-6, and we have a scene of mingled pain and suspense
that shows the price paid for our pleasant homes, but we will pass in
a panorama-like Avay the early and ordinary hardships, and proceed
to a brief statement of the severe hardships in the years alluded to.
A cabin of logs to begin with, biting cold and bitter blasts, as passed
the winter of 1638. There was isolation by flood, snow-drifts, and
forests. The prowling wild beast was there, want was a liability
Avhich their e.xiled condition might bring at any time. In sickness no
physician was near, in sorrow they could weep alone. Toil, that
sometimes sweetens life's cup, and is as sunshine that cheers its
gloom, Avas e.xperienced to e.xcess. Schools Avere a lu.xury that for
nearly half a century Avere but little enjoyed, and the utmost sim-
plicity in living and in dress must be practised if the plantation Avas
to survive. Thus the years of priA'ation passed, and then, just as
things began to brighten, and prosperity set in, that gaA'e promise of
permanence, a change came to the settlement. The cause that pro-
duced it Avas the Avar with King Philip, a war Avaged Avith such
intense and terrible ferocity as the country ncA’er kncAv before or
since. We cannot here do justice to this subject by giAung an out-
line of the terror of those times, but must content ourselves Avith the
thought that it has been our privilege in the published history of the
toAvn to give it somewhat in detail, and I Avill venture to express the
hope that, Avhatever else be omitted in the reading of that history,
that part will not be omitted which relates to the doings of those dis-
mal days.
It Avas then that the courage, the persistency, the bold energy of
tbe tOAvn’s early inhabitants were exhibited in a marked degree. We
Avill not tire your patience Avith particulars, but Ave will simply afflrm
that Sudbury was saA'ed on April 21, 1676, by the dogged per-
sistency of her citizens, combined with the same element in men sent
from Waterto'wn, Milton, Roxburj, Rowley, Concord, and some other
places. From 1,000 to 1.500 Indians were here. Every wood-path
was watched, every log-crossing was guarded by a painted foe on the
night of April 20, and on the morning of April 21 every house on
the west side that was undefended was probably sacked and fired by
the scattered enemy. The settlers saw, at day-dawn, in the black
smoke of that April morning, the last of their once smiling homes.
Simultaneously the garrisons were attacked. Then came the display
of courage and the determination to resist that we have spoken of It
was in vain that the savages strove to capture those places. Though
intense their ferocity and combined their forces, not a gai'rison in town
succumbed. Neither were these settlers content with simple self-
defence. They rushed forth from the garrisons and beat back the
savage assailants. On the east side of the river, where the Indians
were plundering the dwellings, the English fell with such fury upon
them that a part of the spoil was recovered, and the enemy was
forced over the “ old town bridge ” and causeway, and the causeway
was held, so that the foe never recrossed it. The fight went on until
noon. At the same time, at Green Hill, was raging the terrible fight
between the savages and Capts. Wadsworth and Brocklebank. The
bold company from Watertown, sent or led by the gallant Hugh
Mason, pushed on to render the two brave captains relief, but they
were forced to desist from the undertaking, when nearly surrounded
by the foe. With propriety may we pause and ask : " Hid these
things transpire in old Sudbury? ” Yes ! and on the place where we
now stand, then lone and desolate, the “Rocky Plain” of the set-
tlers, the centre of the west side cow-common, could be heard the
guns of King Philip and his outstanding detachments at the Haynes
and Goodnow garrisons and of the allied English forces at the old
town bridge. Could the dead of yonder burial-place have their
resurrection to-day and celebrate this occasion with us, what thrilling
tales they could narrate, received from their fathers, who were of the
gallant company of Sudbury defenders at that time. We would do
well to pause and reflect if by silence we could make those scenes
more vivid.
But we will turn now from the character of the people and the
merits of their manly development, to the consideration of the
influence and results of their deeds. Man is not measured alone by
18
•what lie is, but by what otLers are led to do or be by him. So it is
with a town. “ Do you want to know of my monument? ” asked a
noted architect. “ Look about me.” Would jmu know of a town's
worth on the whole, strike the average of its influence in a long series
of years, in places near and remote. A look at a New England
town, in the present, may not be suggestive of its history. As well
expect to estimate the pearl’s worth by a look at the mere shell that
contains it as to make an estimate of a town's influence in days gone
by by what is manifest now. Towns are wonderfully changed by the
times. Old Plymouth is but a speck on the map of New England
to-day as regards population and commercial importance, and yet
she is the central sun of the past. Concord, but tor her place in the
pi'ovincial history of New England, and of the world’s modern
classics, would be almost unsought by the scholar or antiquary, but
because of her past history Daniel Webster was led to say that, with
Le.xinjiton and Dunker Hill, she would remain forever. True, time
passes, and population shifts in the land, and roofs become moss,
covered and fall, and roads become grass-grown, while in other spots-
once but meadows or swamps, a large town may springup. By a
recognition of this principle of change in American life, must we
judge of the true worth of a township. We do not say this by way
of apology ; we need no more apology than the old man who has be-
come weak by his intense early activity. But we say it to the
stranger who may have walked these lonesome streets, and is unac-
quainted with our history. One hundred years ago, or a little over,
Sudbury was central in its influence, and the birth of that influence
was one hundred years before. It was prominent in council, and its
political influence was far felt. When John Nixon, afterward general,
was at Nobscot, when Col. Ezekiel Howe was at the “ Red Horse
Tavern,” when William Rice had charge of government stores at Sand
Hill, when Thomas Plympton was of the Provincial Congress, when
Capts. Russell, Cudworth, Stone, Loker, and Haynes were at the head
of Sudbury militia and minute companies, then Sudbury had a power-
ful influence on the surrounding country. It was then the most
populous town in Middlesex County. About four hundred stalwart
citizens were in process of training, or were ready to resist British
oppression, and about three hundred of this number marched in de-
fence of the continental stores at Concord on April 19th. All through
19
the Revolutionary War the resources of the people were never called
for without a kindly, prompt, and generous response. The influence
of Sudbury was felt in yet other respects. It had a large influence
in the settlement of some of the best townships in Massachusetts.
When the Sudbury settlers had taken up all their lands, and the
great West was no longer on the farther bank of the Musketahquid,
then the call was heard for more land. Already had they spread out
on the south, to what is now Framingham. John Stone had built his
cabin by the Falls, now Saxonville, and Edmund Rice had opened a
noodway about Cochituate Pond, but a still broader territory was
wanted. A petition was, therefore, presented for a tract six miles
farther to the west, and the court met the request. The Rices, Rud-
dockes. Newtons, and Wards and some others left the settlement, and
soon a plantation sprung up at Whipsufferage, which has since become
the town of Marlborough, which once included Northborough, South-
borough, Westborough, and Hudson. Worcester is proud to own
Ephraim Curtis as an early pioneer, and when her historian speaks of
this noted scout of old Sudbury, and how after a hard day's work on
the rough soil of Wigwam Hill he looked in the direction of Sudbury,
and like a homesick child wept, he only shows the perseverance and
pluck of the old Curtis race which began at Sudbury with Henry
Curtis on the old East Street. Another town is Grafton, and still
another is Rutland, in the settlement of which Sudbury had a share.
In the “Town History” pages have been devoted to biographical
sketches of the distinguished citizens of Sudbury, who, in about
1725, went out into the flir westward-stretching wilderness to aid in
forming the town of Rutland.
But time forbids that 'we should follow the outline of Sudbury’s
history farther. As we stand, to-day, by this mere framework of
facts ; as we look over this vast building from foundation to roof-
plate; as we glance upward and behold the high dome, well may we
exclaim:^ “ ho built it, and what would the completed structure
be?” Mhat is the filling of this historic outline, which we have
largely left out, but which has accumulated in this quarter-millennial
of rolling, changeful, progressive years? Who erected these walls,
so massive and grand ? Who painted those pictures upon them’
which, better than stucco and fresco, yea, better than gold or fine
gold, it is our joy to behold ? They did it in part whose names are
20
on the roll of the carlj settlers ; their posterity did it in part, as at
the “ town bridge ” or about the old garrisons they beat back the wily
Pokanoket chief and helped save the town, and, perhaps, adjacent
places; they did it who assembled on this same village green at the
bell-stroke on April lOth ; they did it who stood without breastwork
or trench at the battle of Bunker Hill ; and they in part did it who
about a century later responded to the call of their country in the
great Civil War. All these helped to erect this structure, and now,
Avhosc, we ask, is this structure, this heritage of history? It is
owned by every citizen and native of Sudbury as it was in its
original limits ; the title is one and the same to each ; our fathers jointly
procured it. their names are subscribed upon it, there is no divided in-
heritance ,about it, we arc tenants in common of this grand old house.
Thus these towns stand one in their history. Sudbury and Wayland
are not apart to-day. It is a pleasant feature of the day we celebrate
that the circumstances arc such that we celebrate as one. There is
no bond of union more perfect than that which comes by way of com-
mon ancestry, of transmitted traits and traditions. It was a hard
thing for the colonists to break from British authority, notwithstand-
ing they Avere so oppressed and aggrieved, because of the oneness of
English and colonial history. Shoulder to shoulder had Eng-
lishmen and Americans stood through repeated intercolonial wars,
and one record-book spoke of their deeds. They had one language,
one literature, and one prestige of which to be proud, as it usually
is Avhen there is a oneness of history. We, Avho jointly celebrate as
Sudbury and Wayland to-day, have, indeed, a common history.
Though a river is between us, yet it does not separate. Though of
different names, yet we, nevertheless, are one. It Avould be difficult
indeed to decide Avhich side of the Sudbury River has the most places
of which to be proud. You friends of the old east precinct have the
old “ Watertown trail,'’ while we have the home of Karto ; you have
the ancient burial-place, with its tender associations, that cling like
the gray moss to the crumbling tombstones, and we have the sites of
old g.arrisons in Avhose dooryards were hard-fought battles ; you have
the little mound on the hillslope*, which you have enwreatbed with
your evergreen hedgerow, and we have a hill ever green with the
Site of early meetiuo-house.
21
fame of Capt. Wadsworth ; you have Timber Neck, where stood the
parsonage of Edmund Brown, which, in time of war, was a fortified
retreat of the settlers, and we have the houses, or the sites of them,
where lived Nixon, Rice, and How.
In conclusion, I would say that, as a native of Sudbury, I greatly
revere her history. It is my joy that I was born amid these hills so
historic, and the silent sites of homesteads so long hallowed by the
influences and associations of our honored past ; and that my early
years were spent within but a few minutes’ walk of the old gray
mound of the Wadsworth grave, that was crumbling amid the same
unbroken turf that those soldiers pressed when they fell. It was my
privilege in boyhood to roam these fields where what we have nar-
rated took place ; to climb the hill where stood the wigwam of
Karto ; and Nobscot, the old home of John Nixon ; to behold the
old town garrisons, and to think, think, think, with the limited
thought of a child, of what happened in far away mystical times of
the long, long ago, of which tradition faintly whispered. But when,
in after years of busy research and toil among the musty records of
town and state, I saw the truth of those faint intimations, and found
that tradition had not told half the tale, then the interest in Sud-
bury history gathered and grew, and there was, indeed, a strange
reality to it ;
“’Twas like a dieam when one awakes,
This vision of the scenes of old;
■ Twas like the moon when morning breaks.
' Twas like a tale round watch-tires told.”
It is to these realities, to this veritable history, that we welcome
you, friends, here to-day. Though the rooftree has long since fallen,
and the inmates of those other days are scattered and gone, the old
mansion is still here ; the hearthstones still remain to be trod by our
feet if we will. To this hearth we have come; to this mansion we
bring the gifts of filial regard, remembrance, and esteem. We have
come to a better than an eastern Mecca. We have come to our
fathers’ sepulchres. Yonder they lie in their peaceful burial-place.
Though turf-bound the grave that conceals their dust, may we not
believe that they are with us in spirit, that they revisit the spot
where they reared their little church home, where they met in their
22
early town meetings, and Avliere they opened these pleasant ways for
us? As, then, in the presence of the Great Unseen and the spirits
of our worthy sires, let us present our acknowledgment and offer
our gifts. Let us be learners at the feet of our fathers.
They point us by their history to right living and thinking. They
would have us perpetuate Avhat they began, and by the impetus that
has come down from the past, they would have us attain to even
greater achievements than were ever attained by them. Two centuries
and a half from this day others will have taken our places. Yes, in
a half-century who of us will be here? In the review, when the tri-
centennial summons the children of Sudbury together, will it still be
said that we, as a town, have continued to live our life Avell, and that
a golden chain of right influence still binds our years into one ?
!May it be our desire that thus it shall be, and that those who Avrite
out our history may Avrite of us deeds as Avorthy as we haA^e written
of those Avho have preceded us.
The President. — One of the most distinguished of the sons of
Wayland has prepared for us a poem for this occasion, — a man who
for many years has been associated with CA’ery good work connected
with his own town and county. The poem will be read by Miss
Fannie E. Neale, of Wayland.
POEM BY JAMES S. DRAPER, Esq.
TO THE PIONEERS.
O lAAUNTLESS band of Pioneers,
With hearts so brave, and purpose true!
Across the lengthening bridge of j^ears
We fain AA'ould backward turn to j’pu.
Your tears we see profusely fall, —
Your painful parting sighs Ave feel ;
The farcAvell words, AA'heu leaving all.
To tenderest sympathies appeal.
23
No more for you Old Englaivl's poil
Her well-requited harvest yields !
Ileuceforth your hands await the toil
lu tliose far-off New England fields.
How swayed emotions, big with fate,
As pressed your feet on this new ground!
Words could not flow I A joy elate
'J’ransfused its ettluent power arouml.
Seeds from the banks of Stour's* briglit stream
You brought to spread oYr_ plain and hilLf
here Sudbury’s sluggish waters gleam.
To make its fields seem home-like still.
And all the ehoicest plants to rear, —
Of soul devout and feeling kind, —
Your careful hands transplanted here,
'J'he heart’s deep sympathies to bind.
Ah I Better than you knew ” arose
The temples of those early days;
For still the mighty influence flows, —
God's plans arc seen in human ways!
Your little band then stood for all
That prayer could plead for, — strength maintain ;
Now, broadening nations hear the call,
And Freedom spreads from tnain to main!
For every inch your valor held
Along Atlantic's rugged coast.
Now, o'er a continent impelled.
Your followers press, — a myriad host!
And, reaching to the farthest clime, —
Extending through unnumbered years,
Your work shall hold its place sublime, —
O dauntless band of Pioneers.
♦River Stour, ontthe banks' of which the town of Sudbury,' in England, stands,
t It was of sutRcicnt consequence to be entered on the earliest records of this town
(Sndbnry, Mass.,) that “ English corn [grain | was sown ’’ by the settlers.
The President. — This year, which is the two hundred and
fiftieth in the existence of the town of Sudbury, is also the hundredth
year of our national constitutional existence. Sudbury was one
hundred and fifty years old before the constitutional life of the
country commenced. We had anticipated to have with us an official
representative of the United States, but in his absence we have one
fully able to take his part. I have to say for old Massachusetts that
if she had any faults we should love her still. I present to you
the lion. George A. Marden, of Lowell, who will respond both for
the United States and for the Commonwealth.
ADDRESS BY IlON. GEORGE A. MARDEN.
Ladies and Gentlemen : —
I WISH the few moments allotted to me had been taken up by those
pages which were turned over in bunches, or perhaps in part, by the
Fitchburg Baud. The discordant notes of my voice cannot make
amends for any vacancy in the sweetness of the strains which have
captivated us ; and still less could I take the place of him, who, speak-
ing of the love of a son of Sudbury, has praised his old home so
warmly and so faithfully. I am to speak, it seems, in a double
sense : to speak for the United States and for the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Certainly, nothing but the performance of the duty
to which the citizens of the Commonwealth called me a few months
ago has been so pleasant to me as to come here to-day and bring you
the congratulations of ^Massachusetts herself. Y^esterday I stood upon
Cape Cod, where one of the great towns with the same birthday as
Sudbury was celebrating her two hundred and fiftieth anniversary. I
will say that Ilis Honor, the Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts,
and acting Governor for the time in the absence of Governor Ames,
said that he had received a kind invitation to come here, and he desired
me to express to you his regrets that he could not add old Sudbury
to the list of those towns whose birthday anniversaries he had
attended; and he desired me for him to extend to you, citizens and
descendants and neighbors of Sudbury, the congratulations of the
mother state. Mother State ! Why, the state is a hundred- and
25
forty years or more younger than her daughter, and the great coun-
try in whose behalf 1 have been impressed into service on this
occasion is younger still by almost a decade ; but it is by such
children as these that they have been enabled to prosper. Looking
over the list of towns of Massachusetts that have celebrated their
two hundred and fiftieth birthday, or might have done so,
I find but twenty-three ahead of the town of Sudbury.
Your town is one of the old settlers. In the seventeenth
century there were but fifty more towns settled after that,
and altogether the towns of Massachusetts settled in that century
number seventy-five only. It is a venerable town. Sometimes
we are accustomed to consider the life of a nation or community
from its birthday, such as you celebrate now ; but Sudbury started
full armed, full panoplied. We go back a thousand years or more in
any history and find that the beginnings of countries are but mists,
cloud, and fog; they took centuries to evolve from their little begin-
nings, now so obscure. But Sudbury began, as Governor Long said
of Sandwich, at the top. Two hundred and fifty years ago there
was not the Sudbury here that there is to-day ; not the meeting-
house, not the Town Hall, not the tall school-house, taking the tele-
phone wires ; but the seeds of them all were here, the beginnings of
the civilization which needed only a few years comparatively, as men
reckon time, to bring them into full development. Why, two
hundred and fifty years since the settlement of Sudbury is a thou-
sand years in the calendar of civilization.
I liked the address of the orator, liked it e.xceedingly well,
especially for the love the man showed for his birthplace. Every
man believes in the place where he was born, or ought to; if not,
the place should not believe in him. I have a good deal of sympathy
with a remark which Theodore Parker once made. He was met by
a man who told him the world was coming to an end ; whereupon he
replied, “That does not concern me, I live in Boston.’’ And also
with the feeling of a lady Avho went to the other world, and who was
said to have sent back this message to her husband. She said, “ This
is a lovely place ; the streets are of gold, and the hills of jasper, and
everything so fine and beautiful. It is very nice, but it is not
Boston.”
Did you ever hear of a little party of Americans who were cele-
26
brating the Fourth of Julj in Paris? When a man gets so far away
from home as that he is apt to take something, especially at a Fourth
of July dinner, which naturally inspires sentiments worthy of the
occasion. These people were no exception to the rule, and after they
got through with their dinner their patriotism ran high, and they
came to the conclusion that America was the biggest country on the
footstool, and began to give sentiments. One of them was: “I
give you the United States of America, — bounded on the north hy
the British Possessions, on the south by the Isthmus of Panama”
(he was going in for all of Mexico), “ on the east by the Atlantic
Ocean, and on the west by the Pacific.” The next man said : •' That
does not express it. I give you the United States of America, —
bounded on the north by the North Pole, on the south by the South
Pole, on the east by the rising sun, and on the west by the setting
sun.” They thought that was a pretty good toast, and they began
to cheer. One, more exhilarated than the others, said; ‘‘Your
sentiment docs not amount to much. Let me give you one : ‘ Here
is to the United States of America, — bounded on the north by the
Aurora Borealis, on the south by the Procession of the Equinoxes,
on the east by Primeval Chaos, and on the west by the Day of
Judgment.’ ”
I almost expected the minister who gave us the address would give
us such a toast about Sudbury, and he would not have overstepped
the bounds if he had. This is figurative speech, miud you. There
is nothing you can say too good for Sudbury, not because it is Sud-
bury, but because she is a typical New England town, on whose con-
servative and stable elements the state must in the future, as in the
past, rely. The president told us that the safety of the state lay in
the towns, not in the cities. So it does. If Boston had to depend
upon her own resources for men to make her big aldermen, for
instance, where would we be ; or in Lowell, if we didn't get some good
men to come out to Lowell from the country once in a while? IVe
should be “ in the soup,” to use a common expression. It is men
from the country towns who have a conservative influence. You
could not have this sort of a celebration in the city; you have not
the material for it there. Take Boston as an example : Boston was
settled before Sudbury ; but, although it dates from 1630, you could
not have a celebration like this in Boston. You have not the old
27
families or the traditions, in Boston, in spite of Faneuil Hall and the
Old State House. It has been overgrown, partly by the importations
we have made. You could not dig out the New England element in
Boston from the mass of the community there ; but here it comes to
the surface of itself; you can see it in every face. This is the kind
of community which made New England what it is, and keeps it what
it is. Go across the line to the north of us, and you can tell if you
were blindfold when you got there. Go into the Middle States, and
you know at once that you are out of New England. Go west, or
north, or south, and you think that New England is the best place.
One of the first things that you notice is that your appetite is gone.
You search in vain for a good square meal, such as you have been
accustomed to. There is something about a New England dinner
that is absent elsewhere.
I agreed not to speak more than five minutes. I must con-
clude by saying, as I said in the beginning, that I came here
cheerfully and gladly, as a representative of Massachusetts, to
tender you as her preservers the congratulations of the good old
Commonwealth.
The President. — The fourth senatorial district of the state,
in which Sudbui’y and Wayland are situated, has a represen-
tative in Boston at the State House who has done great credit not
only to his district but to the state ; and though you have sent many
able and discreet men to serve you in that capacity, there is none
more so than Mr. Davenport of Marlborough, whom you will be
glad to see, and equally glad to hear, whom I now present to you.
ADDRESS BY HON. WILLIAM N. DAVENPORT.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen of Sudbury, Way-
land, and the Surrounding Country :
I AM told that the exercises will close at a quarter-past four, that
several other gentlemen are to follow me, and I have but one min-
ute in which to speak, — much to your relief, no doubt, as it cer-
tainly is to mine.
28
I must confess that I hardly know what to say at this stage of the
proceedings. While I have been listening to the speakers who have
preceded me, I have been taking a retrospective view of the family
tree, and have tried to hunt up in the annals of my memory some
ancestor of mine rvhose bark of life was launched within the limits
of the good old town of Sudbury ; but as yet it has been a most
lamentable failure, so I cannot speak as a native or descendant of
the town. But if, in the course of human events, I shall be per-
mitted to begin at the beginning again, under the influence of this
perpetual youth elixir, of which we read in the Lowell Courier and
other unreliable papers, I shall start here in the town of Sudbury,
let my new life begin here, and I shall claim relationship from this
time. It is indeed a pleasure to be with you to-day. It is a
pleasure to meet the descendants of sturdy old New England stock,
who have gathered to commemorate the heroic da^'s of her ancestry ;
and it is a pleasure to know that here in this part of the County of
Middlesex, where many towns are running a form of government
under a city charter, the town of Sudbury, for many years at
least, proposes to remain a little republic, such as has been spoken of
by the president of the day. I believe in the small New England
towns; I believe the men who take their first training in statesman-
ship in discussing matters in the town meeting are safe to rely upon
in any crisis or ordeal through Avhich the state or the United States
may be called upon to pass. I am gratified to see on this day this
large gathering of the sons, and descendants of the sons, of Sudbury,
and if I am permitted, as I expect to be, to participate in the next
two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, I hope to meet with many of
you again, preserved by this marvellous elixir, and I hope to here
find on the fair plains of Middlesex this same little republic, going on
in the same line in which it is going to-day. It is difficult to realize
that so many years have elapsed since Sudbury was incorporated ; to
realize that two hundred and fifty years have passed between us and
the incorporation of the old town. We live in an era of change, and
while your ancestors would hardly know where they were if placed
here to-day, amid all the achievements of steam and electricity, still,
while there is a change in everything else, the people remain true
and loyal and faithful. Wishing that many blessings may rest upon
the fair town of Sudbury, I will say good-by.
29
The President. — It miglt be inferred from what has been said
that Sudbury was the only town in Middlesex County. Yet we have
good neighbors, of whom we are also proud. When the original
grant was given to the territory, it was bounded on the east by
Watertown, on the north by Concord, on the south and west by the
wilderness. That wilderness has since blossomed like the rose. One
of the most enterprising and growing towns in old Middlesex is
Hudson. We have a distinguished citizen of that town with us
to-day, and you will be glad to listen for a moment to Mr. Joslyn,
of Hudson.
ADDRESS BY HON. JAMES T. JOSLYN.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : —
Tuis comes to me as an entire surprise. I am here to-day by the
invitation of the Committee of Arrangements, which I accepted, and
1 return to them, and through them to you, my sincere thanks. I
sh#ll not presume, however, to occupy any time on this occasion, when
I know there are present learned gentlemen, not only those skilled in
statesmanship, but doctors of divinity, who can entertain you better
than myself. While I was listening to the last speaker, and remem-
bering that he had been a young student in my office, and is now
clothed with senatorial honors, I could not but feel that I was old.
Let me make one suggestion : The historian of this day, in a
book that has very recently been published, has brought to my mind,
to my great satisfaction, a historical idea. I find that one of the
early settlers of this town was my ancestor, an immigrant from old
England in 1635. He was for a time in Hingham, and in 1654
signed the original order upon which was founded the town of Lan-
caster. I endeavored to trace him for some time, without success,
as 1 could not examine the early records ; and now, through your
generosity, your historian has brought to light the fact that Thomas
Joslyn was one of the grantees and settlers of Sudbury. I find his
name in several reports and two or three divisions of land. After
that he took his family and settled in the valley of the Nashua, and
helped start the beautiful town of Lancaster. I am situated more
fortunately than Mark Twain, who regretted that the Pilgrims did
30
;
not take two or three days in landing, because he had so many
invitations for one day to celebrate that event that he could not
accept them all, wliereas if they had been distributed over two or three
days, he could. I have come to the celebration of the two hundred
and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of Sudbury; and I can
go to Lancaster and celebrate with them their two hundred and
fiftietli anniversary, and the ne.xt year probably I can celebrate the
anniversary of my own native town of Leominster, and so I am very
fortunate. It so happens that the town of ^Marlborough, a growing
town and fast becoming a city, and the town of Hudson and the good
old town of Sudbury are in one representative district. We are glad
that the towns of Marlborough and Hudson can also share in this
conservative element that the representative of the Commonwealth
has referred to.
It is a wholesome clement to have in any political district. It is
true, as you, Mr. President, intimated, and as the representative for
the state and the United States has said, that this celebration could
not be duplicated in Boston or Lowell. While in the town of Hud-
son we cannot have the same kind of celebration which you are hav-
ing, we feel that Marlborough and Hudson are helping with Sudbury
to lift up the great mass of the population who are coming over not
only from the shores of England but from many other European
countries, and there may be a trying time for New England in the
future from this element ; and we in New England have the same
work in character and spirit to do which our forefathers had, and
which their posterity has accomplished to this present time. I be-
lieve all that has been spoken about Sudbury to-day is true, and I
am perhaps sorry that my ancestor did not remain here and take up
his lot with you. He was evidently inclined to get the best lots of
the settlers. I arn only sorry that he did not leave some of them to
his posterity.
The President. — In 1852 an event of more than usual im-
portance to the old town of Sudbury, making it one of our red-
letter days, was celebrated, and the IVadsworth monument, erected
by the joint action of the town and state, was dedicated. The young
Governor of the state, as he was then, is with us here to-day, and it
31
gives Dce special pleasure to introduce to 3'ou Governor Boutwell. I
might call him by almost any other title, for he has held almost every
position in the gift of the government, but I will call him Governor
Boutwell.
ADDRESS BY IION. GEORGE S. BOUTWELL.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : —
As YOU may infer from the introductory remarks of the president
my presence here to-day is due to the circumstance that seven and
thirty years ago I came to the town of Sudbury, upon the invitation
of your people, to deliver what was made to pass for an address, upon
the occasion of the dedication of the monument to the memory of
Captain Wadsworth, Captain Brocklebank, Lieutenant Jacobs, and
twenty-six others who fell in defence of this frontier town in the
month of April, 16 TO.
I may speak, if your patience shall endure, of two features inci-
dent to that circumstance ; but before I do so I wish to comment
upon an observation made by the orator, and seconded by others, that
this is an assembly of the descendants of the Puritans, of the
descendants of the Puritans as distinguished from the Pilgrims and
the descendants of the Pilgrims. Too often I have observed in pub-
lic addresses and in historical works that the two are confounded ;
and the country is sometimes invited to accept the civilization of the
present age and of the country as the civilization of the Puritans,
and sometimes it is invited to accept it as the civilization of the Pil-
grims. but it is not the civilization of either. They had independent
sources ; they were different bodies of men ; not in their national
origin, but in the ideas they entertained, in the sources of information
under which they had lived and were living, and in the objects which
they had in view in coming to America for the home of themselves
and their posterity. I do not mean to-day to state with any distinct-
ness the difference, hut only this, that the Puritans were not a
religious sect. They contained in their organization as a body men
of different religious opinions. John Cotton, minister of the first
church in Boston, and John Winthrop, the first Governor of the
Colony of Massachusetts, both were members of the Church of Eng-
32
land, and from the Church of England they never departed. Others
were Calvinistic, pure and simple. But the Pilgrims of Plymouth
were men animated and controlled by a single religious idea. They
were independent, they were pronounced, they were followers in the
e.vtrerae of the doctrines of John Calvin. The two bodies were com-
pelled by political considerations to merge their influence together,
and from the Pilgrims’ religious opinions and from the Puritans’
political ideas has come the civilization by which the whole northern
half of this empire and republic is controlled, and by which, with
increasing steps and without great delay, the entire continent, from
the gulfs on the north to Me.xico on the south, is to be controlled.
Two things I wish to say to you, my friends, concerning this
monument. It so happened that something of the responsibility as
to the monument rested upon me. We had many designs offered to
us by artists in Boston and elsewhere as to the character of the
monument. Mr. Isaac Davis of Worcester had then recently re-
turned from a trip to Europe, and when the subject was under con-
sideration, he said that at Lucca in Italy he had seen a monument
that had stood the test of criticism for two hundred years as the best
pyramidal structure on the continent of Europe. So then, just as I
am now, entirely ignorant of art, I said to these designers who
approached with the products of their artistic skill, “ On examination
I am utterly unable to form any judgment in this matter. We will
take the monument at Lucca for our model.” We sent over and had
the measurements made, and the monument which stands on yonder
hill is an exact representation of the monument at Lucca in Italy. I
fancy that it is as good in respect to artistic character as any in this
country.
It so happened that I had, in consequence of my address here, in
November, 1852, a controversy, which I fear has not quite ended
yet. When I made preparation for what I thought it might be
proper to say on that occasion, my attention was directed to the dif-
ference of opinion as to whether the fight in which Wadsworth and
others fell was on the 18th day of April, 1676, or on the 21st day
of April ; and after such examination as I could make I came to the
conclusion that it was on the 18th, and therefore I said so in my
address, making the statement that there had been and was an opinion
that the fight occurred on the 21st. The date of the 18th was
t
33
placed upon the monument. Soon after an article appeared in the
Genealogical Register lamenting the error. Again, in a few months,
another article of the same tenor followed. I was at that time occu-
pied in other affairs. I was called to Washington, the war came on,
and mj attention was diverted to other things, and it was not until
1866 that I found time and opportunity for further investigation of
the case. I wrote an answer to these articles, and I fear that I put
into that one passage that was not wise. I stated the reasons pro
and con for m.y opinion, which I am not going to repeat here, and the
facts, and that I relied at last upon this : That President Wads-
worth, of Harvard College, son of Capt. Wadsworth, who was seven
years of age when his father died, and whose mother lived sixteen
years after the death of Captain Wadsworth, had, when he was sixty
years of age, placed at his own proper cost upon the greensward of
Sudbury a statement that his father fell on the 18th day of April,
1676. I said to myself, it is not for me to say that I know better
than President Wadsworth, of Harvard College, as to the question
whether Captain Wadsworth fell on the 18th or the 21st day of
April; and in my indiscretion I put at the end of my paper, —
which, with the exception of that last sentence was, after some debate,
printed in the Genealogical Register, — these words, which were
omitted; but, in a still further indiscretion, I put a copy of the paper
in the Historical Society’s rooms with the sentence annexed which I
put in the original article. The said words were these : “ The
statement of President Wadsworth as to the time that his father died
is of more value than all the theories of all the genealogists who
have lived since their vocation was so justly condemned by St. Paul.”
That was the indiscretion.
And now I Avill relate a circumstance : Soon after this article was
published I had occasion to go into one of the courts of Boston to try
a case, in which my client was involved to the extent of ^1,000, and
on coming into the court room 1 saw to my horror that the foreman
of the jury was the editor of the Genealogical Register. The case
was tried and the verdict was against my client; hut I wish to say
this in regard to Jlr. Drake and his eleven associates, that my im-
pression to-day is that they brought in a righteous verdict.
*********
I have thus reviewed this controversy, not from any personal
1
s
7
34
motive. Everybody wlio bad anything to do •with the matter besides
myself I fear is dead, and I would not rake the ashes now except that
it is a historical event. I have no feeling of personality in the
matter, and if it should turn out that it was the 21st instead of the
18th, I should feel that I had done the best I could to set the matter
The President — 1 am of the opinion, in this discussion, that
it makes hut little difference to us whether the fight was on the 18th
or the 21st; but I know this one fact that interests us to day, and
that is that the name of our town of Sudbury was taken from the
name of Sudbury in England. Our settlers were Englishmen ; Ave
are descendants from those representative men, and we are fortunate
to-day in having with us a live Englishman, a representative Eng-
lishman, one who in Boston is considered one of her institutions, and
I cannot deny myself the pleasure of introducing to you Dr. Brooke
llerford of the Ai lington Street Church in Boston.
ADDRESS OF DR. BROOKE IlERFORD.
Ladies and Gentlemen : —
I FEEL very much mixed up in rising to respond to this sentiment
that has been given by the presiding officer, because, six years ago,
feeling that it was rather a shabby thing for a man to refuse to take
up allegiance to what was practically his country, from a secondary
picference for another country tvliich he hadn’t loved well enough to
stop in, 1 swore allegianco to the United States, and have been since
trying to pass myself off for an American; but to-day I find that it
is no use; I suppose I hear the lineaments of John Bull, and unless
I could wear my ceitificate of naturalization upon my sleeve nobody
would believe it. I am here to answer for England, as I have been
chosen for that purpose. In the speeches that have been made it
seems to me that Engl.ind has most of the glory fur what has been
done, for it was carefully emphasized that they were Englishmen who
came to settle this part of the country. It seems they had very
good taste for a very good part of the country, and it was England
Avho practically drove them out from her own borders by oppressions,
which Avere a great influence in those times, but which now nobody
need be troubled about. I am no more troubled about that than I
was by tlie fact that the Old South Cbuicb in Boston was used as a
stable for British soldiers. The first time I went through Boston
streets and looked at her buildings I saw my friend was trying to
call my attention in that direction, and I saw the inscription in the
Old South stating that fact; and I said, “You need not be con-
cerned about that; if the British hadn't used it in that way that old
pile would have been nothing but old bricks.” And so it was with
every persecution of the past ; it created the noblest heroism of the
past and peopled Sudbury Avith those Avorthies Avliom we commemor-
ate to-day.
Only one word more, for the young people here to-day. It is not
so much for the older citizens that I am concerned, but what interests
me is the future of this quiet town, from which the youth is going
away to the centres of population. What is to become of the future
of these towns? It is not so easy to make the future of the towns
Avhat the past has been Avhen the strongest life is going away from
them. It rests with the young people to stay in these country
places, and try to make their future worthy of their past. As our
friend recalled that glorifying toast about the boundaries of the
United States, I could not help thinking, though we laughed at the
expression, that in a certain sense it is true of the United States ;
and in every human life and in tiie opportunities of every boy and
girl Avho is at work in the fields, milking cows, or bu-sy about
husbandry in these country toAvns, in every such life there is some
Avidth or expanse, and possibly their boundaries come from the rising
sun on the east, and their possibilities are bounded only by the day
of judgment. Let the young people of these towns, by their loyalty,
by their love of their native places, by the earnestness Avith Avhich
they build schools and liliraries, try in every way to make tlie.se
happy, useful homes of culture and religion; and thus let them make
the future of these towns Avorthy of their past.
The President. — It has been repeatedly stated here to-day that
we are descendants of the Pilgrims, or Puritans, or both. But lest
there should be any doubt I wish to make the statement that all tlie
doctors of divinity are old-fashioued Orthodox Congregationalists.
3(1
In 1876 we bad a red-letter day in celebrating the battle in which
Wadsworth fell. Dr. Young, of Harvard, delivered the oration
that day. As he helped make a part of the history of Sudbury, on
this occasion we should have a word from Dr. Edward J. Young, of
AValtham, whom I now introduce to you.
ADDRESS BY DR. EDWARD J. YOUNG.
Friends : —
I AM glad to see so many I can call friends, and so many who
were here thirteen years ago, when we celebrated tlie anniversary of
the dedication of that monument. I have been asked to say a word
about the clergy of 1639. Are j’ou aware Avhat men of marked
ability they were? Peter Bulkley, of Concord, George Phillips, of
Watertown, Thomas Shepard, John Wilson, Increase and Cotton
Mather, John Eliot, Francis lligginson, Peter Hubbard, and others —
these men were mostly graduates of O-xford and Cambridge, men
who took high rank at the university, men who could read tlic Old
and New Testament in the original tongues, and some of them had
come from beautiful and worthy churches in England. John Cotton
had been forty years the rector of St. Botolph s in England, and
came here to minister in the plain, humble meeting-house of the first
church in Boston. These were men of great weight in their time.
Their names are conspicuous in our history. IMagistrates consulted
them about important questions — about the charter, how they should
deal with no.xious persons, how they should deal with the king. They
went to the Thursday lecture to hear the ministers talk about secu-
lar affairs. In this town of Sudbury two Indians claimed a certain
squash, one because it grew in his field, the other because the vine
Avas on his side of the fence. They referred the matter to the par-
son, Avho divided the squash, half to one and half to the other. You
knoAV that most of the churches had two ministers, one to attend to
the pastorate, and the other to teach doctrine. They Avere not lim-
ited to ten minutes in their sermons ; unless they preached an hour
the people didn’t feel that they got their proper modicum. The
hour-glass had to be turned once, sometimes more than once. On
one occasion when the preacher came to seventeenthly, and after that
said finally, an old farmer said he was glad to hear that, because he
had got six miles to go and the cows to milk, and he was afraid
he shouldn’t get home in time. Judge Sewall speaks of a prayer
an hour and a half long. The ministers were very secure of their
audience. If any man stayed away from church Thanksgiving or
Fast Day he was fined five shillings. The people were obliged to
keep awake. There was a tithing-man with a long pole to keep
stirring up the boys, and a feather on the end of it to touch the
young ladies if they were dozing. One of the old ministers, who,
on one occasion, saw some of his people asleep, shouted, “Fire!”
One fellow woke up and said, Where is it? ” “ In hell, for sleepy
sinners ! ” was the reply. I have been told that the minister used to
catechise from house to house. Any man who spoke disrespectfully
of his preaching was fined ten shillings. There were no religious
exercises at funerals, because it was feared prayers for the dead
might creep in; no ministers’ fees for weddings. The minister’s
salary was voted in town meeting, and oftentimes paid in corn and
other produce, and work. The law of Plymouth Colony says,
“The court thinks it advisable that where the providence of God
shall cast up any whales that the people should take part of such
whales or oil for the maintenance of godly and able ministers.”
The President. — I will give you a little rest from the speaking,
and introduce to you Prof. Hayes of Harvard College, who will give
a recitation.
Prof. Hayes recited Samantha Allen’s account of a Fourth of
July Celebration at Jonesville.
The President. — Whenever I have mentioned the name of Sud-
bury to-day it has been said from the beginning, and should be un-
derstood, that I have included Wayland. That is all right so filr as
Sudbury is concerned. But as Wayland was originally a part of
Sudbury, lest there should be any sectional feeling growing out of
this condition of things, I will ask your attention to the closing ad-
dress by a representative of Wayland, one to whom you will be glad
to listen, W’illiam H. Baldwin of Boston. After the address the
band will close the exercises of the day.
38
ADDRESS BY WILLIAM 11. BALDWIN, ESQ.
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : —
One name was mentioned this afternoon, in speaking of events in
Sudbury, that called to my mind a little incident. Rev. Mr. Cud-
wortli, who was settled in East Boston, and who died a few days
ago, came from Sudbury. I remember at a meeting on one occasion
in Boston it got to be very late when Brother Cudworth was called
on for a speech. He got up and said, “ There is a new beatitude ;
Blessed are the short speech-makers, for they shall be invited to
speak again.” The president came to me just now and said he
wished I would say a few woids, and he said. “ Speak about Way-
land.” I suppose I represent Wayland, or should represent it, be-
cause I reside there in the summer time. That is perliaps a good
reason, but there is another reason why I am willing to represent
Wayland, what was formerly called East Sudbury, and it is because
there is East Sudbury blood in my veins. My dear mother was burn
in East Sudbury; she was one of your school children, and used to
talk to me about East Sudbury, and about the old families there, and
I am very glad to stand here just for a moment to tell you that I am
proud to think that there is East Sudbury blood in my veins.
I want to say a word to these mothers and fathers to urge them
to impress on their boys and girls the importance of loving this
country that we have heard so much about this afternoon. We all
ought to thank God inwardly every day, from our hearts, that we
are allowed to be a part of His children on earth ; and you, and
every one born in New England, ought to thank Him that you were
born in this country, and have the privileges that come from it.
This is the only country on the face of the earth that people are
flocking to for a permanent home. People go from this country to
another to travel, but it is the only country people are coming to for
a home; and we ought to say to them: “We give you a welcome, but
we want you when you come here from all parts of the world, no mat-
ter what nation you come from, to feel that these are not the United
States of Germany, not the United States of England, not the
United States of France or Italy, not the United States of Ireland,
but they are the L'nited States of America, afld you come here to
be true citizens.” We want the people to feel that this is their
39
home, and to become good citizens in this country, wliere education
is given to the poorest girl and boy. Let us love this country, and
put that idea into the minds of boys and girls growing up, show
tliem what a beautiful country it is, and how much they owe for the
blessings they enjoy. I want to say to the fathers and mothers of
boys, when they start out in life, the impression they get at the start
they get for life; it goes through; no characteristic Avill last them
so long.
I will tell a story, boys and girls, about Daniel Webster, and his
brother Zeke. Daniel Webster Avas very careless all through life in
regard to financial matters. He was a great man, and when he
walked through the streets of Boston the boj’s and girls and men
and women would stop and turn and look at him, and would say one
to another, “ Do you know who that is ? ” No.” “ It is Daniel
Webster.” They all stopped to look at him, he had such a massive
head, such eyes ; he was such a noble-looking man. lie Avas care-
less in regard to finances. That weakness started Avith him when
he Avas a boy. When he and his brother Ezekiel were boys in Noav
Hampshire on a farm, their father said to them one day in the field,
“ You have been real good boys, you have worked hard ; the pota-
toes are all dug, and I can spare you for a day. Tomorrow there is to
be a muster about six miles aAvay, and I want you tAvo boys to go and
liaAT a good time. You may be gone all day. Here is a quarter
apiece fur you.” At that time tAventy-fi\'e cents to a farmer's boy was
a good deal of money. The next day Dan and Zeke did their chores,
and Avalked fiA’e or six miles to the muster-ground. At night they
came home, and as Dan came in his father said, “ Did you have a
good time?” “Y"es, tip-top!” was the reply. ‘AYhat did you do
Avith your money ? ” “ Bought some lemonade and candy and pea-
nuts and oranges, and had a first-rate time.” Presently Zeke came
in, and his father asked him if he had a good time. “ Yes, first-
rate ! ” said he. ” What did you do Avith your money? ” “Lent it
to Dan.”
I tell that because I want the boys to understand that the charac-
teristics Avith which they start in early youth will last through
manhood.
My good friend Marden of LoAvell has glorified this country, glo-
rified New' England and iMassachusetts, and then he included Boston,
40
the "real Hub of the Universe. I am dad he did. I am verv fond
O O
of Boston. When I am travelling, if I put my name in a hotel reg-
ister, I do it in small handwriting, but ahvays write Boston in large
characters. I am proud of it, and always shall be.
I have a friend, of whom many of you have heard, Bobert Coll-
yer, who used to be in Chicago and is now in New York, a learned
blacksmith. He has always been fond of Boston, and said he
couldn't get any such fish-balls in Chicago as he got in Boston, and
he liked to go there. Just after the great fire in Cliicago I was
there. !Mr. Collyer's house was burned, his church was burned,
everything was burned on the north side of the cit}'^, where his house
and church were. He said to me, “ Now, Baldwin, I am going off
to lecture east and west to earn some money, and come back and
build up. another home for mother and the children.” And he went
cast and west and north and south, coming to Boston, and lectured
and lectured, and put thousands of dollars in his pocket, and then
went back to Chicago, and a new church and home were built up by
his efforts. This sliows his love of what I have been talking about.
When the people came to the new church to worship on the first
Sunday he said, “ My dear brothers and sisters, I have been gone all
Avinter, and have been all through the country, and have put some
money in my pocket; and now I have come back here, and I am
going to stay with you as long as you want me, and when I die I
am either going to heaven or to Boston.’.’
O O
The platform e.xercises Avere interspersed Avith music by the Fitch-
burg Band, which pei formed escort duty during the day, and the
festivities of the occasion closed in the evening Avith a display of
fireworks and a general illumination on the common at Sudbury, ac-
companied by an open-air concert by the Maynard Brass Band, and
a grand promenade concert and anniversary ball at the ToAvn Hall
in Wayland, the entire programme having been carried out to the
entire satisfaction of the large numbers in attendance during the day
and e\’ening.
INDEX
The following Index contains all the Names of Persons in the book except those in
the Military Rolls and in Part VI.
Abbott, Amos, no. Eph., iii. Jonas,
51. Joshua, 114. Lewis, no. Sam’l,
49, no.
Adams, Benj., in. Charlotte, 113.
James, in. John, 56, 68, 113. Jo-
seph, 79, 100. Seth, 93, in. J. Q.,
186, 190. Steven R., 118.
Agassiz, Louis, 99.
Ahowton, William, 5, 64.
Aldrich, S. C., 133.
Allen, Betsey, 52. Debby, I02. Debo-
rah, 187. Henry, 52. Isaac, 54. John,
47, 113, 114, 126, 127. J. W., 52. Jo-
siah, 113, 187. Mary, 95. Sam’l, 203.
Thomas, in. Tinothy, 93, no, 115.
Wm., no. Zachariah, 113. Zebedi-
ah, 95.
Allendcr, Thomas, 79.
Ames, Ebene2er, 56, 58, 99, 108.
Amnot, Frank, 114.
Anatohu, 67.
Animatoku, 2.
Andrew, Gov., 184.
A/pleton, John, 121. Priscilla, 121.
Arnold, 25.
Atherton, John, 200.
Atwood, E. H., 31.
Austin, Richard T., 51.
Axdell, Mary, 70, 201, 202. Thomas, 2.
Bacon, EWen, ig4. Ebenezer, 194. John,
116. Leonard, 195. Mary, 126.
Bagley, Robert, 2.
Baldwin, 142. David, 1*9, 135, 140.
Wm., 8, 23, 31, 32, 55, 71, 96, 99, 109,
13s, 139. Samuel, 99, 115. Sewall,
134, I3S-
Balcom, 77. Asahel, 66, 72. Henry,
72, 74. John, 19, 20, 50, 64, 70, 71,
72, 73, 78. Jonas, 68. Joseph, 21,
70, 72, 77, 78. Moses, 77. Simon, 77.
Balks, A., 79.
Ballard, Catherine, E., 177. Edward,
177. Rev. Josiah, 29, 177.
Ball, Benj., no.
Bancroft, E. Dana, 32.
Barker, Cyrus, 3, 30. Geo., 27, 207.
Barnard, James, 5.
Barns, (ZhzA., John, 129. Richard,!
199. Robert, 169.
Barry, 76. Benj., 95.
Barton, Silas, 112.
Batchelder, H., 114. Sarah, 188.
Baxter, Richard, 99. Beast, 2, 65.
Beecher, Lyman, 52, 208.
Beisbeich, 12.
Belcher, Andrew, 2. Sampson, 24.
Beilis, Thomas, no.
Bellows, H. W., 193.
Bemis, John, 26. L. J., 117. Wm., 109,
119, 120. Wid. Wm., 108.
Bennett, Arthur, 100. Benj., 115. John,
204. Wid. Jonas, 108, in, 115. T.
W., 93. Mrs. T. W., 114.
Bent, 123. Agnes, 105. Mrs. Anna,
181. Ann Q., 105. Elijah, 134, 154.
Elizabeth, 105. Hopestill, 105, 117,
135. James A., 182. J. M., 31, 60,
104,182. Jason, 109. Joel, 115. John,
2> 3> 39i 89, 105, 121, 140, 202, 204.
Joseph, 105. Martha, 2. Mary, 54.
Nathan, 109, 134. Polly, 182. Peter,
2, 10, 21, 105, 119, 140. Robert, 2,
105. Rufus, 109, 134. Thomas, 54,
105. Wm., 2, 60, 104, 105, 182.
Betty, 64.
Berry, Benj., 1 10.
Best, G. R., 79.
Bickford, 1 1 4.
Bigelow, 205. A., 119. B., 79. Jacob,
99, 205, 207.
Bildco7ne, Richard, 2.
Bisby, Thomas, 2.
Blanford, John, 2, 3, 7, 42, 126, 127.
Boaz, Peter, 94.
Bohue, Benj., 4, 5, 63, 64, 66. Humphry,
4, 63.
Bontan, John, 4, 5, 64, 71. Wm., i, 21.
Bowen, Arthur, 28, 207. Win., in.
Bond, 27.
Boody, C. H., 100.
Boon, Matthew, 68, 69.
Boutwell, Geo., 27, 31, 32, 133.
Bowker, Daniel, 26. Frank, 35.
Bowles, Mrs. John, 114. Wid., 93.
Wm. P., 114.
Bowman, John, 63, 64.
Bowtelle, James, 113.
Brackett, Daniel, 58, 100, 116. John,
IIS-
Bradley, Abigail, 194. Asahel, 194.
Bradshaw, William, 118.
Braman, H. B., 100, 108, 109.
Brewer, David, 78, 84. Thomas, 126,
127. John, 26, 47.
Briant, 126, 127, 211. John, 47, Moses,
109. Zechariah, 56.
Bridge, Aaron, 93, 108, 207. Josiah, 23,
49, 51, 108, 207. Wm., 39, 108, 115,
207.
Brigham, Abijah, 71, 73, 79. - Eph., 113.
Capt., 77. Harriet, 177. Jesse, 206.
John, 4, 5. Lucius, 71. Lewis, 77.
Mercy, 209. Sam’l, 22. Thomas, 201.
Wm., 93, 108, 115.
Brmtnal, 19. Phineas, 49. Thomas, 19,
21, 74, 77, 78. Wm., 19, 20, 99.
Brocklebank, 15, 17, 27, 34, 46, 125.
Brooks, wy Thomas, 83. Silas, 83.
Brown, Amos, 71. Anna, 98. Edmund,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 38, 40, 45, 46, 63,
68, 71, 90, 91, 116, 122, 126, 129, 179,
204. Elisabeth, 105. Geo., 71. Hope-
still, 25, 32. How, 28, 32, 33, 141.
Jabeth, 126. James, 93, 116. John,
193. Joseph, 87. Josiah, 22, 71, 139,
Patience, 54. Phileman, 25. Thomas,
2, 54, 120, 1 21, 200, 205. T. Q., 78.
Wm., 2, 4, 5, 8, 19, 32, 40, 62, 63, 64,
6S-
Brozuahau, 79.
Brummit, J. M., 1 18.
Bryatit, Z., 1 08.
Bryden, Christopher, in. Wid. R., in.
Buckingham, <yi. Andrew, 116.
Buckmaster, Thomas, 2.
Buckminster, Josiah, 22.
Btiffumthyte, Wid., 2.
Bulkley, Edward, 69.
Bullard, Anne, 183. Henry, 52. Joseph,
54, 119, 183. Jotham, 120, 183. Wil-
lard, 51, 107, 115, 134, 208.
Buoncore, 117.
Bunyatt, John, 54.
ii
INDEX.
Biirgoyne, 26.
Burk, Richard, 126, 127. Thomas, 117.
Burt, Thomas, 76.
Busby, Nicholas, 203. Sarah, 203.
Bush, Sani’l, 13.
Butterfield, Miss, loi. J. C., loi.
Buttrick, John, 69. Joseph, 129. Sam’l,
69.
Cakebread, Mary, 203. Sarah, 203.
Thomas, 39, 42, 203.
Campbell, C. II., 116.
Carr, John, 27.
Carruth, Samuel, 134.
Carter, 135. .Amos, no. Benj., 115.
Edward, no. E. -A., 31. Martha, 52.
Cari’er, Isaac, 93, 117.
Cato, 4.
Chandler, John, 77.
Chase, Rev., 101. E. L., too. Salmon
B., 1S4.
Channiug, William, 291.
Cheney, Tristram, 2, 73.
Child, David L., 9, 10, 58, 90, 183.
Ephriam, 4. Lydia M., 58, 90, 99, 102,
109, 171, 173, 179, 183, 184, 20S. J. I).,
»13-
C7((//, Caleb, 25. Enos, 114, 115. John,
48, 49, 78. Joshua, 25.
CVrtrA J. W., 79. W. II., 118. Jona-
than, 25. Samuel, 118.
Cleavland, Enoch, 20.
Clement, llazen, 112.
Clinton, 26.
Coakley, Daniel, 1 1 5.
Cogfin, 22.
Colman, Benj., 99.
Corny, Daniel, 129.
Co/M/it, 12.
Conlon, John, 79.
Cook, William, 21, 23, 48, 49. Rev., 99.
Joseph, 63.
Cooledge,C., 108. James, 112.
Corcoran, Thomas, 30.
Corey, Thomas, 1 19.
Corlett, 87.
Corliss, Benj. 52.
Coughlin, John, 28. T., 112.
Coroillc, 17.
Crafts, Elinor, 199.
Crane, Benj., 68, 70, 126, 127.
Cudworth, Nath’l, 24, 25.
Cummings, Isaac, 108. John, 22.
Robert, .
Curry, David, 129.
Curtis, 202. David, 112, 113, 134.
Henry, 2, 45, 113, 126, 128,202. Jona-
than, 109. Joseph, 131, 203. Eph’m,
23, 202. Experience, 20, 22, 45, 49,
53. Samuel, 22, 49, 113.
Cushing, William, 117.
Cutchamekin, 4.
Cutler, Abel, 135, 208. Asher, 206.
Asahel, 51. Christopher, 205. Micah,
116. Nahum, 108, 213. Roland, 128.
Cutter, Josiah, 26.
Cutting, Alfred, 58. A. W., 208, 209.
C. A., 93, 109. Chas., 117, 119. Elisha,
io8. Isaac, 25, 50, 117. John, 119.
Jonathan, 117. I.uther, 12. Sophia,
52-
Baby, Joseph, 69.
Dakin, .Abel, 30. John, 28, 30. Joseph,
22. Sam’l, 22, 49, 77. Thomas, 22.
Dalrimple, Thomas, 26.
Damon, David, too. Edward, too.
Isaac, 96, 185. I. C., 109. Joel, 115,
Jude, 38, 99, 109. Martha, 182, 185.
Norwood, too. T. J., 109. Seth, too.
Thomas, 185.
Dane, Annie, 200. John, 200.
Danforth, 'I'homas, 5, 63.
Darnille, Robert, 2, 41, 65, 89.
Daz’is, 3, 22, 134. Bridget, 203. James,
3. Margaret, 2. Robert, 3. W., 108.
Dazoes, 27. S. A., 52.
Day, John. 79.
Dean, Daniel, iii. Granny, lit. John,
III. Joseph, III. Mary, 51, 102.
Peletiah, 56, iii.
D'Bernicre, 141.
Deering, J. K., 79.
De Forest, J. A., 79.
Deniander, James, 26.
Devan, John, 1 17.
DelVitt, 98.
Dickey, C. H., 108. Geo., 30, 52, 109.
Wid. Geo., 109.
Dickinson, E., 27.
Dido, 23.
Dolan, 1’., 1 17.
Donovan, Wm., ill.
Dozuse, 1 01.
Dozvning, Immanuel, 4.
Drake, Ellis, 52.
Draper, Elisabeth, 185, 186. Eunice,
154, 179. Frank, 100, 113. Ira, 52,
79,96, III, 115, 154, 185. James, 51,
53> 57. 88, 97, 99, 102, 108, 109, III,
1 13, 1 16, 167, 185, 186, 187. James A.,
1 14. James S., 32, 38, 40, 52, 53, 88,
90,95,98,99, 100, lOI, 102, 107, III,
186. L. R., 48, 79, gS, 185. J. R., 90,
100, 154. Mary, 202. Nabby, 102, i86,
W. I)., 52.
Drummond, 93, 109.
Drtiry, 122. Asa, log. Hugh, 2, 204,
212. L. II., 114. Lydia, 204. John,
204. Mary, 204. Thomas, 121, 200.
Dudley, Anna, 48, 120, 209. Anna S.,
181. B. A., 108, 120. Wid. B., 108.
Edwin, 117. Geo., 21, 71, 72. Jason,
118. Joseph, 5, 96. Josiah, 1 17. L.
D., 1 17, 120. Wid. Lewis, 117. Na-
thaniel, ti8, iSi. William, 93,96, 116.
Wid. Wm., 108, 187.
Dumphy, L., 31.
Durrell, Asa, 108.
Dutton, Leonard, 27.
Dunbar, Sam’l, 22.
Dunster, Henry, 37.
Dzoight, 72.
Eagan, Wid., 107, 115.
M.aj., 108. Jesse, 118. Robert,
25. Thomas, 13, 122, 123, 140.
Eastman, L. R., loi.
Eaton, Eben, 101. Nathaniel, 22.
Evans, M. .A., 79.
Eliot, 2, 67.
Ellms, Elisha, iii.
Erwin, Wid. Robert, 116.
Estabrook, Benj., 139. Joseph, 19.
Eveleth, 69, 74, 77.
Fairbank, Corning, 25. Drury, 27.
Elisabeth, 69.
Farzuell, •]<). Eph’m, 118.
Farmer, E. W., 52.
Fay, Erastus, 98.
Fegan, Daniel, iii.
Fessenden, Sam’l, 134.
Field, Rev., 193. James, 93.
Jonathan, 116.
Fisher, Henry, 118. Nellie, 119.
Henry, 114. John, 93, 134. Silas,
113-
Fletcher, Adm., 2, 79. Edward, 204.
Flint, Royal, 120. Thomas, 59. Flora,
94.
Flyn, Thomas, 2.
Folsotn, Benj., 112.
Fordham, Robert, 2.
Forsyth, John, 30.
Foster, Joel, 51.
Fowler, Henry, 71, 80.
Francis, Converse, 107, 183. James,
108.
Freeman, Elisabeth, 71. John, 2, g, 71,
127. Joseph, 4, s, 18, 45, 54, 63, 68,
69,71,75. Sam’l, 5, 64, 71.
French, E., 1 1 3.
Frink, Thomas, 19, gg, 1 17.
Frost, Anna, 98. Benj., 100. Edward,
58, 100, 108. Geo., 79. Leonard, 48,
78,98,116. T. W., log.
Fzdler, A. B., 188. Edward, 71. Emma,
165, 188. F. T., 102, 154. G. F., 53.
Henry, 188. Margaret, 188. Richard,
58, 1 12, 160, 188. M. J., 154. Timo-
thy, 188.
Garfield, 21. James, in. Gar-
diner, 50. John, 74.
Garret, Hermon, 62, 65.
Garrison, Wm., 182.
INDEX.
iii
Gates, 5, 26. Epli’ni, 63. Stevens, 64.
Thomas, 69.
George, John, 2, 108.
Gerry, C. F., 31.
Gibbs, Matthew, 13, 97, 126, 136.
Gibson, Arrington, 68, 71. Timothy, 21,
72, 76.
Giles, E. J., 1 1 2.
Gilman, 27. N. P., 51.
Gilmore, Harry, 178.
Glazier, Mary, 71.
Gleason, K\>t\, 38, 45, 54,-87, 112,113,
142, 189, 213. Clark, 19. Caroline,
98. Eliza, A., 190. Geo., 1 13. Isaac,
108,113. Joseph, 47. Luther, 51, 52,
54, 90, 108, 1 1 2, 1 1 5. Mary, 189.
Nabby, 190. Nathan, 213. Nath’l,
56, 90, 1 13. Phineas, 24, 25, 50,96,
1 12, 113. Reuben, 113, 189. Theo-
dore C., 81.
Glover, Elisabeth, 4, 37. Josse, 37.
Sam’l, 47.
Goddard, F. II., 78.
Godfrey, 22. A. C., 79.
Goldthwait, Willard, 1 18.
Goodale, D. W , 27.
Goodenough, Dr., 207.
Goodenow, (), "j, (}2, 117, 162. Anna, 2,
54. Asa, 109. Asahel, 109, 134.
Betsey, 177. Chas., 177. Mrs. Geo.,
207. Wid., 12,65, ••3- Edmund, 2,
3. 5. 7. 10. I*. >2, 13, 39,40, 41, 42, 54,
63,89, 126, 130. Edward, 21. Geo.,
30. H. H., 30. Jane, 2. Jesse, 208,
John, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 18, 21,
28, 29, 32, 33, 55, 63, 64, 89, 98, 126,
211,212. Joseph, 54, 1 14. Levi, 28,
32. Lydia, 2. Luther, 13. Micah,
109. Nathan, 48, 177. Persis, 29.
Rufus, 51. Sam’l, 26. Sarah, 68.
Silas, 25, 26. Thomas, 2, 3. Ursula, 3.
Goff, Sam’l, 5, 64.
Goodman, 62.
Googen, 69.
Gookin, I, 14, 15, 16, 17, 63, 67. Daniel,
5. 64-
Gordon, Robert, 31, 52.
Gore, John, 211.
Gott, Benj., 22.
Gould, Isaac, 112. Jacob, 112. Jona-
than, 1 1 4.
Graves, E., 115. Joseph, 13, 44, 126,
127. Micah, 115. Sam’l, 49, 115.
Gray, Mary, 2. Jane, 2.
Green, John, 5, 64.
(7rr^«, Celinda, 192. David, 112. Ed-
ward, 199. Elis, 203. Hugh, 2, 4, 6,
12, 40, 42, 65, 199. Jonathan, 56, 112.
Sam’l, 96, 1 12.
Grenct, 7, 22, 45, 59, 206. Abigail, 203.
Elis, 203. H. M., tot. Jerusha, 190.
John, 2, 9, 12, 13, 39, 43, 56, 126, 127,
130,203. Jonathan, 1 19, 203. Joseph,
203. Mary, 203. Sarah, 192, 203,
Silas, 93, 108. Susan, 52. Susanna,
203. W. C., 213. W'ni. 49, 108.
Guttridge, \Nm., 79.
Guy, Nicholas, 2.
Haggit, 22.
Haines, (s. Aaron, 23, 24, 25. David, it,
21, 141. Daniel, 26, 139. Elisabeth,
72. liliza., 2. Elisha, 35, 206. Israel,
13. Mrs. Israel, 132. James, 78.
Jeremiah, 109. John, 2, 21, 36, 47, 56,
125, 126, 129, 199, 206. Joseph, 4, 21.
Joshua, 25, 49, 51, 54. Josiah, 4, 5,
13- 22, 25, 47, 63, 64, 65, 108, 126, 127,
130, 199. Josias, 2. Leander, 13.
Mary, 2. Moses, 13. Nathan, 25.
Peter, 47. Prefer, 21. Reuben, 33.
Sufferance, 2. Thankful, 71. Thomas,
2. Walter, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 38, 40,
206. Wheeler, 21.
Hall, O., 79. Grace, 200. Stevens, 69.
Hammond, W. G., 108. Leander, 118.
Otis, 1 18.
Hantosnush, 2, 67.
Hafgood, Wid., 68, 127. Shadrich or
Sydrach, 2, 68, 69, 199. Thomas, 68.
Harding, Abagail, 4,5,63,64. Josiah,
5, 63, 64. Sarah, 64.
Harrington, Daniel, 13. Edwin, 30.
Elisha, 25. George, 35. Noah, 109.
Thadeus, 26.
Harlow, W. T., 52.
Harriman, J. K., 81.
Harrison, W. 1 1., 186.
Harvey, Ann, 4, 64.
Hasey, 135. Nath’l, 117.
Have'; E. O., 209.
Hawes, Jeremiah, 115.
Hawkes, Ezra, 1 1 2.
Hawkins, Timothy, 8, 39.
Hayward, Geo., 63, 118. John McLane,
78. W’id., 114. J. W., 114. Lemuel,
114.
Hazlewood, Webster, 79.
Headly, Dennis, 13. Thomas, 44.
Heald, Israel, 68.
H ale, Gershom, 69.
Heard, 134. Abel, 97, 116. Abigail,
190. Chas., 1 16. David, 97, 116.
Edwin, too. Eliza, 190. Emily A.,
1 17, 191. F. F., 58, too. Horace, 97,
1 17, 1 19, 190. Jared, too. Mrs. John,
99. Wid. John A., 108. Jonas, 93,
108. Jonathan, 115. J. P’., 51. Le-
ander, 190. Newell, 48, 57, 93, 190,
209. Richard, 23, 60, 94, 96, 108, 115,
1 1 6, 190. S. H. M., no. Sibyl, 190.
Theodore, 190. Thomas, 116, 190.
William, 109, 114, 116. Zechariah,
49. ”6, 190, 213.
Heldredge, Richard, 63.
Heldreth, Ephraim, 69.
Hemenway, 79, 113.
Herford, Brooke, 23, in, 112, 113, 148.
Hicks, Zachery, 20.
Hillard, Timothy, 27.
Hills, Wm., 118.
Hoar, Jonathan, 20, 96, 113. Sam’l
196.
Holden, 25. Levi, 208. Sam’l, 99.
Holton, S. A., 109.
Ho7nan, Conrad, 118.
Hosmer, Geo., 93. G. W., 129. S. D.,
100. James, 2, 8, 9, 12.
Hcmen, Daniel, 51.
How, 205. Adam, 33. Ann, 202. Ed-
ward, 202. Ezekiel, 24, 26, 33, 50.
John, 2, 33, 40, 44, 65. Jonathan, 77.
Sam’l, 23, 41, 44, 57, 126, 127, 140.
Wm., 2.
Howard, Chas., 93.
Hoye, Thomas, in.
Hoyte, 2.
Hudson, A. S., 31, 32, loi, 173, 177.
Daniel, 70. John, 30, 80, 98, loi, 102.
Maria, 177. M. N., 177.
Hunt, Aaron, 27. C., 108. Chas., 30,
209. Emory, 209, 210. Gardner, 208.
Geo., 208. Horatio, 31. J. S., 30,31,
32, 35. John, 77. Luther, 208. Nicho-
las, 28. Rupert, 2. Rufus, 31. Sam’l,
28. Wid., 2, 43. Wm., 21, 201.
Huntress, Edward, 79. Capt. Humphry,
Hunting, 17.
Ihtrlbut, 180. Hubbard, 14, 15, 16.
Mehitable, 207, 210. Moses, 35, 207.
Rufus, 207. Thomas, 30, 80, loi.
Hyde, Abby, 9, 15, 194. Lavius, 52.
Hyttes, Thomas, 112.
Irving, Washington, 33.
Isgate, Abagail, 51.
Jackson, 135.
Jacobs, 15, 16.
James, 121.
Jatnes, Elgin R., 32.
Jehoyakin, 4, 5, 63, 64.
Jenness, Leblaus, 25.
Jennings, Nathaniel, 112.
Jekyl, John, 68, 72.
Jinkina or Jenkinson, Abram, no, in.
Jennison, J., 112. Sam’l, 99. W’m.,
37. 120.
Jethro, Old, i, 62, 65, 67. Peter, i, 2, 4,
5. 64, 67.
Jezvcll, Joseph, 21, 69, 72.
Jobson, John, 2.
Johnson, 9, 59, 63, 67, 87. Aaron, 6.
Caleb, 1 21, 122, 199, 200. Ebenezer,
118. Esther, 52. Frank, 120. Han-
IV
INDEX.
nah, 199. Joseph, 199. Mary, 199.
Nathan, 1 17, 120. Nath’l, 199. Peter,
1 18. Phineas, 99. Sam’l, 199. Solo-
mon, 2, 42, 65, 66, 70, 199. Wm., 22,
52, no, 1 18, 120.
Jojenny, 4.
Jones, A. B., 30. C., loi. Ebenezer, 22.
Joel, 205, 207. J. M., 1 16. Wid.
Lewis, 1 17. Smith, 207.
Josias, Chas., 5, 64.
Joslyn, James, 32. Thomas, 2.
Kato, I, 4, 37, 40, 41, 62.
Keaquisan, 121.
Kendall, Joseph, no. Joshua, 114.
Sam’l. 20. Waldo, i iS.
Kent, John, 108.
Kerley, Edmund, 3. Wm., 2, 3, n, 65.
Kernan, Michael, 115.
Kettle, John, 68. Joseph, 68. Sarah, 68,
Keyes, Elias, 126.
Kidder, 14. Ashbel, 205. Enoch, 27.
Kilhurn, I). W., loi.
King, 123. Peter, 2, 12, 18, 44, 65, 75,
126, 127, 204, Thomas, 2, 8, 98, 203.
Az/rt//, Josiah, 114. Thomas, 203.
Knosvles, 27.
Knight, 2q6. Asahel, 43. John, 2. Wm.,
78, S3.
KnoTMlton, Nath’l, 114.
Langdon, Josiah, 24.
Lapham, Kuth, 177.
Lawrence, 22, 112.
Leach, Ambrose, 8, 39.
Leadbetter, Fanny, 102.
Zzc, Cyrus, 119, 197. Henry, 93, 107,
114, 116, 119. Lucy A., loi, 162,197.
Sarah, 197.
Leonard, Daniel, 115, 134.
Litchjield, Paul, S3.
Linnehan, J., 115.
Lincoln, Abraham, 190. Benj., 26.
Livermore, John, 140.
Livingston, Beulah, 102.
Lwker, Betsey, 102. Ebenezer, 102.
Elisabeth, 183. E. T., 52. Harriet,
183. Henry, 2, 26, 42, 65, 127, 128,
202. Wid., n, 46. John, 2, 19, 38,
40, 46, S3, 65, 91, 202, 203. J. D., 52.
Orrin, 116, 134. Otis, 108, 119, 213.
Isaac, 24, 50, 96, 183, 202.
Lombard, R. T., 31, 58, 88, 100, 108.
Lon , John, 19, 20.
Longfellcno, 22, 33, 34, 58, 97, 198.
I.oring, 206. Israel, 20, 21, 23, 43, 48,
59. 73. 92. 94- John, 23, 99. Jonathan,
20, 99 Nathan, 50. Lovell, L. K.,
57. 93. >08, 190.
Loveren, Anne, 18. John, 18.
Lcrvering, Joseph, 22.
Lyon, A. B., 135.
Macomber, John, 134.
Madison, James, 1S6.
Magos, Jacob, 5, 64. John, 4, 5. 64.
Maguire, 79.
Magus, 4, 5, 63.
Man, Robert, 20, 21.
Mannsan, Betty, 4, 63. David, 4, 63.
Mann, Elisabeth, 189. Horace, 214.
Sam’l, 107, 108.
Marrs, D. F., nS.
Marble, 68.
Marden, G. A., 31, 32.
Marston, 119.
Mason, David 22. Hugh, 15, 46, 70.
Mather, 13, 15, 16, iS. Increase, 127.
Nath’l, 127.
Matthews, S. S., 79.
May, C. J., 118. Wm., 79.
Maynard, 77, 79, 1 23. Amory, 78, 79,
83, 84, 85. Mrs. Amory, 79. Dan’l,
109. Elisabeth, 202. Hannah, 202.
Isaac, 51, S3. John, 2, 12, 24, 38, 42,
50. 65, 70, 201, 202. Joseph, 70. Lo-
renzo, 79, 85. Lydia, 83, 202. Mary,
202. Micah, 109. Moses, 49, 112.
Nathan, 25. Nath’l, 25, 50, 109, 203.
Sam’l, 25. Simon, 68, 70. Thomas,
1 1 2. Zachery, 70. Zacheriah, 68, 70,
202.
McCall, M. J., 79.
McCann, Wid. Owen, 109. Thomas,
iiS.
McClellan, Wid. John, 1 18.
McDonald, Dennis, 112. Wid. James,
III. P., III.
McIntyre, Edward, 31.
McManus, L., 116.
Mellen, 93, 99, 196, 197. Edward, 58, 98,
107, 108, 154, 214. Elisabeth, 197.
John, 20, 52. Joshua, 190, 197.
Meredith, loi.
Meriam, Elisha, 113. John, 50, 93, 120.
Merrell, C. A., 79.
Merrill, T. A., 52, 100, loi.
Miller, Israel, 47. Steven, 22.
Milliken, C., 9, 79.
Minott, 21, 22. Mercy, 22.
McGrath, James, 70.
Mitchell, D. W., 31.
Moore, Moores, More, 10, 102. Ann, 204.
Augustus, 23. Bezaleel, 1 1 1. Cephas,
51. Chas., 205. David, 25, 112.
Eliab, 56, 1 13. Elisabeth, 204. Eloisa,
181. Edward, 48. Eph’m, 27, 29.
Frank, 1 14. Isaac, 26. Israel, 112.
Jacob, 126, 127. James, 28,30, 31, 80,
204. Jesse, 25. J. B., 185. John, 2,
19, 1 12, 148, 201, 204. Joseph, III,
126. Luther, no. Lydia, 204. Mary,
204. Reuben, 207. .S., 108. Sophia,
52. Thomas, 26, 112, 131. Warren,
27, 107. Wm., 127.
Andrew, 1 15. Benj., 20. Eph’m,
1 15. J. N., 56, 93, 1 15, 128. S. A.,
1 1 5. Warren, 117.
Monroe, John, 48.
Morrill, 22.
Mossman, Mathias, 61, 63. Timothy, 26.
Mott, Herbert, 51,
Moulton, 205. Caleb, 1 iS, 135. Daniel,
iiS. John, loS, 207. Nath’l, 49.
Mudge, Cornelia, 108.
Muhlcnburg, 26.
Munnings, Geo., 2, 9.
Munson, N. C., 133.
Muskquamogh, Peter, 4, 5, 63, 64.
Musqua, Esther, 4, 5, 63. John, 4, 63.
Rachel, 4, 5, 63.
A\tson, Elias, 81.
jVataous, I.
A^epanum, Betty, 5, 64. Mary, 4, 5, 63, 64.
Benj., 1 15. Nero, 94. Nettleton,
Dr., 195.
Nctus, 13, 14, 87.
A\wall, Jonathan, 74.
Newell, 26. Eliza, 52.
Newton, H. L., 114. 11. R., 114. Silas,
79. Mrs. Silas, 79.
Nixon, Christopher, 26. John, 22, 24,
25, 26, 50, 77, 93.
Noyes, 8, 23, 54, 199. Abigail, 199.
Daniel, 48. Dorothy, 199. Elisabeth,
199. James, 109. John, 22, 49, 94,
96, 109, 114, 137. Jonas, 115. Joseph,
19, 20, 47, 48, 120, 199. Mary, 199.
Nicholas, 199. Peter, 3, 6, 7, 9, ii,
13. 18, 24, 40, 43, 44, 51, 59, 75, 126,
130, 199, 202, 206, 212. Sally, 1 1 5.
Sam’l, 109, 1 1 2. Thomas, 2, 7, 8, 10,
11,12,38,87,113,128,199,206. Wm.,
109.
Nolan, Patrick, 117.
Nutt, 102.
O'Reily, 79.
Osborn, D. C., 80.
Oldham, John, 89.
Osgood, Christopher, 59.
Oviatt, G. A., 27, 31, loi.
Page, Maranda, 134, 205.
Parker, James, 45. Wm., 2, 79, 83, 134.
Palmer, John, 51.
Parsnenter, 206. Abel, 13. Amy, 201.
Benj., 45, 1 14. Bridget, 200. C. O.,
28. Chas., 206. David, 55. Edwin,
30. Eliza, 180. Geo., 21, 28, 30. H.
D., no. Jedediah, 23. Jonathan,
no, 114, 201. John, 2, 8, 42, 44, 55,
65, 114, 115, 126, 133, 200. J. M., no.
Joseph, 20, 21, 113, 126. Josiah, 113.
Moses, 113. Noah, 180. Peletiah,
26. “Toddy,” 114.
INDEX.
V
Parris, Abigail, 48, 53. Noyes, 99, 120.
Sam’l, 19, 20, 48, 53, 74, 120.
Parsons, Thomas, 163, 197. Sarah, 185.
Patterson, Jonathan, 49. W., 27.
Patz, J. A., 31.
Peck, 135. Geo., 113.
Pelham, 128. Herbert, 37, 59. Wm., 2.
Peloubet, F. N., loi.
Pendleton, 8, 9, 21 1. Andrew, 112.
Brian, 2, 8, 9, 38, 40, 113. James, 2,
127.
Perkins, J. L., 114. Wm., 117.
Perry, Ellen, 18 1.
Pettingal, Christopher, 44.
Philbrick, G. W., in. Philip, 14, 15, 16,
17, 18, 27, 33, 34, 45, 46, 66, 68,69, 125.
Phillips, Wendell, 184.
Phipps, 17. Wm., 19, 47.
Pierce, 16, 17. David, 115. Edward,
108, 117. Thomas, 119.
Pitcher, Nath’l, 19, 20.
Pitts, Geo., 21.
Plympton, Elisabeth, 202. Peter, 47.
Thomas, 2, 10, 12, 19, 24, 25, 50, 68,
69, 126, 199.
Pond, Daniel, 47.
Poole, Benj., 93, 115,
Potter, Sam’l, 129.
Pousland, E., 108, 116, 119. Frank, 52.
Powers, Edwin, 31.
Pratt, Eph’m, 71, 78. Phineas, 68. Sim-
eon, 1 14.
Prentiss, Henry, 2. Catheraine, 181.
Prescott, 1 15. Mary, 187. Wm., 99.
Price, Elisabeth, 115.
Puffer, T]. Daniel, 1 17. Jabez, 68, 71,
72, 76. James, 21, 25, 71. Jesse, 27.
Josiah, 27. Otis, 27, 70. Reuben, 71,
79. Sam’l, 28. Steven, 25.
Putnam, Alfred, 194.
Randall, Eph’m, 83. Steven, 69.
Randolph, Q,., 117.
Read or Reed, Asahel, 25, 128. Isaac,
2S> 95- Joseph, 81. Thomas, 2, 5,
10, 18, 70, 72, 75, 78, 126, 127, 179.
Reddicke, John, 4, 65, 113.
Redit, John, 2, 3.
Reeves, 134, 206. Adaline, 188. Caro-
line, 108. C. W., 1 17, 135. Elmira,
188. Emeline, 187. Harry, 38, 56.
Henry, no. Hervey, 114. Jacob, 56,
96, 117, 135. Mary, no. Nath’l, 50,
96, 108, 134, 135, 213. Sam’l, 1 12, 114,
115. S. D., 1 14. Sylvester, 108. S.
P., 108. Walter, 117, 188.
Revere, Paul, 25.
Revis, Wm., 96, 113.
Rice, ^6, pj, 123. Aaron, 119. Abel,
119. Abner, 100. Abigail, 190. Benj.,
1 19. Calvin, 108, 114. Chas., 108.
David, 7, 71. Fdmund, 2, 3, 7, 39, 42,
44, 60, 65, 70, 117, 121, 204, 205. Ed-
ward, 52, 76, 114, 116. Eliakim, 119.
Elisha, 112, 114. Ezekiel, 96, 119.
Eph’m, 119. Gardner, 100. Geo., 119.
Henry, 2, 43, 65, 68, 71, 105, 113, 121,
125, 127. Isaac, 119. James, 47, 78.
J. A., 52. Jonathan, 21, 25, 48, 49, 50,
66, 70, 71, 77. John, 48. Joseph, 70,
119. Matthew, 44, 47, 119. Matthias,
70. Nancy, 52. Nathan, 58, 93, 108.
Nath’l, 109, 112. Peter, 134. Reuben,
13,205. Sam’l, 119. Solomon, 26.
Thomas, 43, 47, 68, 119, 127. Unity,
187. Wm., 6, 50, 70, 71, 78, 187, 208.
Richardson, Abel, 206. Chas., 93. Gid-
eon, 99. H. J., lor. Josiah, 22,
Warren, 27, 32, 207.
Ricker, D. W., 31.
Roake, Cyrus, 31.
Robbins, Abba, 194. Peter, 194. S. I>.,
51, 169, 194.
Roberts, Stevens, in, 112.
Robinson, Fitz Auburn, 35.
Rhoades, Mary, 194. *
Roby, Ebenezer, 22, 56, 58. Dr., 56, 57,
E., 93, 94, 108, no, 207. Joseph, 58,
loi, no. Richard, 118. Susan, 52.
Wm., no. W. G., no, 207.
Roger, 1 2 1,
Rogers, A. D., 31. Alfred, 180. Ather-
ton, 180. Betsey, 179. Bradley, 180.
Emily, 180. Homer, 31, 32, 180, 210.
Melvina, 180. Sam’l, 179, 180, 181,
210. Mrs. Sam’l, 210. Walter, 28, 30,
179, 180.
Rumny, James S., 64.
Ross, James, 119, 126.
Rouse, John, 119. James, 127.
Ruddock, John, 2.
Russell, AhignU, ^2. Chas., 116. Josiah,
119. Mrs. Josiah, 57, 116. Marshall,
116. Nath’l, 96. Sam’l, 52, 116.
Wm., 116, 140. Thadeus, 25, 50.
Rutter, Benj., 1 14. Elisabeth, 202.
Eunice, 52. Fanny, 52. John, 29, 38,
40, 43, 44, 53, 54, 58, 63, 65, 90, 91, 93,
no, 126,202, 211. Joseph, 47, 54, 1 14,
202. Josiah, 100. M. M., 58, 112, 117,
118, 131, 134. Wid. M. M., 117.
Mary, 54. Thomas, 13, 47, 55, 114,
130. Mrs. Thomas, 114.
Sacowambatt, Daniel, 5, 64.
Salter, Wm., 51.
Saltonstall, Richard, 2.
Sanders, Sam’l, 119.
Sanderson, \\Z. Amos, . Horace,
30. James, 113. Oliver, 25.
Sanger, Richard, 2, 3, 21, 44, 93.
Saunders, Thomas, — ,
Swain, Benj., 114, 205, 206, 208. Joseph,
1 14.
Sa7vyer, John, 27, 79.
Schell, Geo., 118.
Schuyler, 26.
Sears, E. H., 51, 57, 58, 98, 99, 113, 154,
157, 188, 192, 197. Joseph, 192.
Luther, 192.
Seaward, John, 93.
Sewall, Sam’l, 99.
Shaley, Joseph, 45.
Sharp, 27.
Shaw, Linus, 27.
Shattuck, I, 34.
Sheire, P. B., 79.
Sheldott, F., 52. S., 52.
Sherman, 2’]. Calvin, in. Dexter, 109.
Edward, 56, in, 114. Eph’m, in.
Eli, 108, 207, 213. Geo. Eli, 98, 148,
207. Geo. Enos, 1 10. Henry, 112,
1 14. James, 19, 20, 46, 47, 48, 49, 90,
91, no. J. G., no. Jonathan, no.
John, 10, 47, 65, loi, 1 10, 187, 191, 192.
Josiah, no. L., 93, in. Luther, no,
in, 192. Maynard, in. Melvin, in.
Prentiss, 114. Rebecca, 192. Reu-
ben, 51, no. Sibyl, 190. Theodore,
93,116. Thomas, 47. Timothy, in.
Wm., 109, 112,
Shorey, John, 120.
Shurtliff, \iy Ellis, 52.
Sibley, M. C., 108.
Simpson, Jonathan, 54. Michael, 97.
Wid., 118. Thomas, 134. Simeon, 94.
Sinclair, Hartson, 30.
Skinner, 77.
Small, J. H., 116.
Smith, 45, 72, 77. Aaron, 99. Abram,
18, 83. Abraham, 70. Adam, 18.
Alexander, 1 10. Amos, 70, 78, 203.
Asa, 83. Benj., 66, 70, 81,83. B. F.,
118. Chas., 58. Curtis, 30. Daniel,
119. David, 120. Dexter, 83. Ed-
win, 79. Elbridge, 53, 100, 203. Elijah,
22. Eph’m, 99, 117. Geo., 93, 108.
Haman, 76, 79. J. B., 80. John, 203,
204. James, 13. Jonathan, 70, 73.
John, 18, 65, 68, 70, 75. Joseph, 24,
48, 50, 53, 120, 203. Josiah, 117.
Levi, 52, 70, 74, 79. Newell, 119.
Sarah, 70, 203. Susan, 74. Sybil, 79.
Thomas, 2, 21, 30, 70, 72, 78, 203.
Wm., 70, 83.
Somerby, Gustavus, 58, 80, 107.
Stanhope, Jonathan, 74, 126. John, 127.
Spear, Alexander, 118. C. V., 27.
Spaulding, John, 80.
Speen, James, 4, 63, 64. John, 4, 63, 64.
Sarah, 4, 63, 64.
Spencer, Wm , 3.
Staples, Ebenezer, 112, 118.
Stearns, 44, 93, 207, 211. Thomas, 90,
177, 181, 207, 208. T. J., 208. Wm.,
115, 116.
VI
INDEX.
Stebbins, R. P., 193.
Stevens, Chas., 5, 127. Jacob, 69.
Phineas, 22. Thomas, 44, 69.
Stevenson, Margaret, 181.
Stewart, Chas., 79.
Stimson, Wm., 53.
Stone, 18, 1 12, 1 18, 141. Aaron, 118.
Adam, 47. Andrew, 118. Penj., 118.
Daniel, 140, 21 1. P'red, 100. Isaac,
1 18. Israel, 1 18. John, 2, 10, 22, 42,
55, U2, 121, 134, 140, 202. Lydia, 79,
Marshall, 1 17. Matthew, 1 18. Moses,
24, 50. Purchase, 118. Sam’l, 116.
T. D. P., 79. Walter, 118. Wm.,
55-
Strong, E. E., loi.
Stott, Isaac, 79.
Stou"/iton, 64.
Street, Wm., 199. Gregory, 202.
Stnbbs, Joshua, 204.
A«ot//<v, Penj., 1 13. Chas., 184. Elisa-
beth, 185.
Swift, \<). David, 1 14. John, 57, So, 94.
Sarah, 57. Wm., 5, 204.
Taft, Moses, 207.
Tahattaioan, i, 66, 67.
Tantamons, i, 34. 65, 66.
Taintor, Robert, 2.
Tarbell, Ezra, 79.
Taylor, John, 109. Milo, 21, 72. Rich-
ard, 77.
Temple, 60, 65, 67, 87. Richard, 69.
Tenney, E. P., 79.
Tfino, Thomas, 43.
Thayer, Sarah, loS.
77/<>w<u, James, 1 17. J. A., 118. Josiah,
u8. Sam’l, iiS.
Thompson, Aaron, 83. .Alfred, 28. A.
S., 70. Capt., 26. Chas., So. G. W.,
1 13. I., 207. James, 51. Nahum,
27. Sam’l, 22. Thomas, 134.
Thurston, H. L., 52. P., 27.
Thwing, 1 1 5.
7///o«, John, 50, 117. Sam’l, 117.
Terwer, Jonas, 27.
Tole, John, 2, 65, 66.
Trask, Nath’l, 20. Wm., 123.
Treadaway, Nath’l, 2.
Tourtelot, 205.
Tuttle, 35.
Twist, Sally, in. Timothy, in.
Tyler, Othniel, 58, 109.
Ulman, Jacob, in.
Undenvood, Penj., 119. Chas., 119.
Daniel, 25. Jonathan, 117. Wid.
Jonathan, 117. Peter, no. Timothy,
25-
Upson, .Abigail, 199. Elisabeth, 199.
Hannah, 199. Jonathan, 199. Sarah,
199. Shemuel, 199.
Usher, Eleazer, 63.
Valley, J., 81.
Vtekry, Wid. 51.
Videon, Wid. Wm., 119.
Vose, J. R., 27.
Wade, Amos, 119. T. P., loS, in.
James, 116. Wm., 13.
Wads70orth, Capt., 14, 15, 16, 17, iS, 28,
33- 34. 46. 70, 125. Pres., 14, iS, 27.
Waite, in. Joseph, 120.
lValeott,Ed\\a.id, 113. Joshua, 134.
Joseph, 109.
Walker, 6. James, 112. Mary, 47. Paul,
205. Thomas, 44, 47, 48, 51, 126, 205.
Willard, 12, 205. Wm., 21, 205.
Wallace, F., 79. Levi, 31.
Ward, 123. Pethia, 200. Deborah, 200.
lileazer, 200. Elisabeth, 68, 200.
Hannah, 200. Hopestill, 200. In-
crease, 200. Joanna, 200. John, 65,
200. M., 117. Obediah, 200. Rich-
ard, 200, 204. Sam’l, nS, 200. Wm.,
2, 9, 40, 65, 200. W. P., 1 16.
Warren, 16, 17. Isaac, 114.
Washington, 34.
Waterman, John, 2, 199.
Watson, James, 32. Sam’l, in.
Wayland, Dr., 51, 52, 98, 99, 196, 214.
Wayne, 26.
Webb, 26.
Webber, i~i.
Wedge, Thomas, 68, 70, 126.
Wellington, 108. A. P., 52. Alden, 108,
207. Joseph, 113.
Weld, Joseph, 3.
Wells, 35.
Weneto, Dorothy, 4, 5, 63, 64.
W sson, Chas., 116.
Wet her bee, 77.
Wetherel, John, 2.
Whale, Wid., 127. Philemon, 2, 39. 56,
65, 113, 143, 201, 203.
Wheeler, 4. Achor, 51. Asa, 93, 134.
.Asahel, 25, 50. Capt., 45. Caleb, 96.
Elisha, 23, 109. Mary, 3s, 207, 210.
Jesse, 93. Joseph, 129. Willard, 35.
Wm., 35.
White, L. P., 93, laS. John, 13, 43.
Whitaker, John, 69.
Whiting, Penj., 25.
Whitman, Daniel, 71.
IVhitney, John, g6. Thomas, 69. Sojihia,
197.
Whiton, Elisabeth, 177. John, 177.
Whittemore, W] . Isaac, 117. Wm.,n7.
Whittier, J. G., 197.
Whyte, .Abigail, 200. Anthony, 2. John,
200. Mary, 2cro. Rebecca, 200.
Thomas, 2, 40, 65, 200.
IViggin, 118.
Wight, 206. Penj., 47. Henry, 98, 119.
John, 51, 53, 99, 119, 191.
Wignal, C., 79.
Wilder, Henry, 79. Mrs. Henry, 79.
Wiley, 1 1 5.
Willard, 13, 27, 45, 62. Simon, 3, 4, 59,
64.
Williams, George, 51. John J., 79.
Williamson, 118.
Willis, 77, 109. Cyrus, 27. Elijah, 25.
Hopestill, 74. John L., 36. Joseph,
21, 73. Sam’l, 21. Ruth, 52.
Wilson, Henry, 184.
Which, Joseph, 209. Mary, 209.
Winthrop, John, 4. Wm., 187.
Wood, Dr., 72, 76. Chas., 75. Cor-
nelius, 25, 55. Abraham, 206. Isaac,
25. John, 2, 65, 70, 72. Wm., 61.
Woods, John, 14 s. L., 108. Leonard,
134. W. F., 81.
Woodivard, 10. Abigail, 204. Daniel,
204. John, 2, 56, 203, 204.
Wright, Edward, 2, 126. Wid., 2.
Sam’l, 204.
Wyeth, Nath’l, 79.
Wyman, 206. Harriet, 3, 114. Wm.,
IIS- 213-
Young, E. A., 31. E. J., 27, 32, 51.
Zimmerman, S., 116.
ERRATA.
Abbreviations: r. h., right hand; 1. h., left hand; b., bottom; col., column.
Page 9, r. h. col., line 28; page 12, r. h. col., line 12 from b., and page 48, 1. h. col.,
line 19 from b., for 3Iass. Central read Central Mans.
Page 12, r. h. col., line 17 from b., for gable read gambrel.
Page 25, r. h. col., line 7, for Leblaus read Lebbaus.
Page 32, 1. h. col., line 9, for Elgin read Algernon.
Page 34, 1. li. col., line 23 from b., before boundary supply southeast.
Page 37, 1. h. col., line 22 from b., Josse for Jesse.
Page 39, r. h. col., statement about Whales Bridge, corrected on page 143.
In connection with location of first meeting-house as given on page 40, 1. h. col., read
same on pages 90 and 91.
Page 42, r. h. col., line 17, for street read streets.
Page 45, r. h. col., line 16, for it read its successor.
Page 48, r. h. col., line 30 from b., for southeast read westerly.
Page 51, r. h. col., line 21, for Robins read Robbins.
Page 51, r. h. col., line 16, for eastern read western.
Page 52, r. h. col., line 5 from b., for Professor read President.
Page 53, r. h. col., ior graveyard read burying-ground.
Page 53, 1. h. col., line 4 from b., for may be read is.
For mistakes in the points of compass on page 53 see page 88.
Page 54, r. h. col., lines 13 and 14, note: the old graveyard at Wayland furnishes an
exception to the general rule.
Page 54, 1. h. col., last line, for Abel read Nathan.
Page 55, 1. h. col., line 11, for process of' time read early times.
Page 55, r. h. col., line 25 from b., for Dana read Jonathan Dana.
Page 56, 1. h. col., line 29 from b., for Harry read Henry ; and line 7 from b., for Wetting-
ton read Wellington.
Page 58, 1. h. col., line 19, for Alfred read Charles Alfred.
Page 59, 1. h. col., line 20, for Summer read Sumner.
Page 63, r. h. col., line 22, read 1660 for 1656.
Page 64, 1. h. col., line 11 from b., read Jethro for Bethro.
Page 76, r. h. col., line 26 from b., for cast read east.
Page 77, 1. h. col., lines 16 and 17 from b., note : besides the two entire companies from
the West Precinct, two were made up of men from both the East and West Precincts.
Page 88, line 30, graves for grave.
Page 89, line 18, after which, read farm.
Page 92, line 25, read their for then pastor.
Page 94, line 4, word 5, read brought for bought.
Page 144, line 22, read rails for bail.
Page 148, line 2, after Author read Mrs. Child.
Page 152, line 8, read country for county.
Note 1. — On the map of house-lots as given in the “ History of Sudbury ” which was
published by that town, the location of Rev. Edmund Bi’own’s house is on the wrong side of
the road ; it is correctly placed on the map in this volume. The arrow on this map points
northeasterly.
Note 2. — When the term “ old Petition ” is used, it refers to the papers given on
pages 125, 126 and 127.
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